Question 1

What time is the 12 August 2026 solar eclipse in the UK and Ireland?

Accepted Answer

The partial eclipse begins between about 18:05 and 18:19 BST/IST depending on where you are, reaches maximum between about 19:03 and 19:16, and ends between about 19:57 and 20:10. In London it runs from 18:17 to 20:06 with maximum at 19:13 BST; in Dublin from 18:12 to 20:05 with maximum at 19:10 IST.

Question 2

How much of the sun will be covered?

Accepted Answer

Between roughly 89% and 98% of the sun's disc, deepening toward the south-west. Aberdeen sees about 89.5%, London 91.3%, Cardiff 93.2%, Belfast 93.0%, Dublin 93.9%, Cork 96.4%, and the Kerry coast up to about 97.7%. Nowhere in Britain or Ireland sees totality.

Question 3

Do I need eclipse glasses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because the eclipse is never total in Britain or Ireland, some of the sun's surface is always exposed and it is never safe to look at directly. Use eclipse glasses certified to ISO 12312-2, or project the image through a pinhole.

Question 4

Where is the best place in the UK and Ireland to watch it?

Accepted Answer

The south-west of Ireland sees the deepest eclipse: Kerry Cliffs at Portmagee (97.7% covered), Mizen Head (97.6%) and Brandon Head (97.4%). In Britain the best is west Cornwall, with Cape Cornwall at 95.8%. Because the sun will be low in the west-north-west, a clean sea horizon or high ground facing west matters as much as the depth figure.

Question 5

Why does the western horizon matter so much?

Accepted Answer

At maximum eclipse the sun is only 10 to 16 degrees above the horizon (about 10 degrees in London, rising to 16 in the west of Ireland), and it sets while the eclipse is still ending in many places. Hills, buildings or trees to the west-north-west can hide it completely, which is why Eclipsio checks the terrain skyline for any point you pick.

Question 6

Is the eclipse total anywhere?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but not in Britain or Ireland. The path of totality crosses Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain. The UK and Ireland see a deep partial eclipse, with up to 98% of the sun covered in the far south-west.

City	Covered	Begins	Maximum	Ends
London	91.3%	18:17	19:13	20:06
Birmingham	91.7%	18:15	19:11	20:05
Manchester	91.3%	18:13	19:10	20:03
Liverpool	91.8%	18:13	19:10	20:04
Leeds	90.7%	18:12	19:09	20:03
Newcastle	90.2%	18:10	19:07	20:01
Bristol	92.8%	18:17	19:13	20:07
Plymouth	94.6%	18:18	19:15	20:09
Penzance	95.7%	18:19	19:16	20:10
Cardiff	93.2%	18:17	19:13	20:07
Swansea	93.6%	18:16	19:13	20:07
Edinburgh	90.6%	18:08	19:05	20:00
Glasgow	91.3%	18:08	19:06	20:00
Aberdeen	89.5%	18:06	19:03	19:57
Inverness	90.7%	18:05	19:03	19:57
Belfast	93.0%	18:10	19:08	20:03
Dublin	93.9%	18:12	19:10	20:05
Cork	96.4%	18:15	19:13	20:08
Galway	95.9%	18:12	19:10	20:06

Best places to watch