The UK will witness its most significant solar eclipse of the 21st century on Wednesday, visible from every part of the country. This celestial event presents a rare spectacle, but when exactly should you look to see it from your local area?
Our interactive postcode search tool allows you to find the precise time when the Moon will begin to pass across the Sun as viewed from your garden, along with when the eclipse will reach its maximum in your vicinity.
Across the United Kingdom, the eclipse will reach its peak around 7pm, with the Moon obscuring over 90 per cent of the Sun. The eclipse shadow will travel swiftly from the north of Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall in just 15 minutes, moving at nearly 2,500 miles per hour.
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By entering your postcode into our tool, you can plan to look up at exactly the right time to witness this extraordinary event.
While some regions in Spain will experience a total eclipse, the UK will only see a partial eclipse. Experts warn against staring directly at the Sun, even when most of it is covered, due to potential eye damage.
The safest ways to observe the eclipse directly are by using solar eclipse glasses or specialised telescopes. Alternatively, you can project the eclipse safely using a pinhole or common household items like a colander, which can display the eclipse pattern through its multiple holes.
Wednesday’s eclipse is the best visible across the UK in 54 years. The excitement has led to a sell-out of eclipse glasses in many high street and online stores.
The latest forecast from the Met Office suggests clear skies will prevail over much of England and Wales on Wednesday evening, with temperatures expected to climb above 30°C across many areas.
However, cloud cover is anticipated over most of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of North East England and Cumbria. Depending on cloud thickness, visibility of the eclipse may vary in these areas.
The prime viewing locations are in the far south-western corners of Devon and Cornwall, where up to 96% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon.
Elsewhere, Wales, Northern Ireland, parts of the West Midlands, South West, and western Scotland can expect between 92% and 94% solar coverage.
For instance, Cardiff will experience 93.24% coverage at around 7.13pm, while Belfast will see 93.09% at approximately 7.08pm.
In eastern regions such as Norfolk, Yorkshire, and Aberdeenshire, the eclipse effect will be slightly less pronounced, but still considerable, with just over 90% of the Sun obscured.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory has emphasised that ordinary sunglasses are inadequate for safe viewing.
Imo Bell, planetarium astronomer at the Observatory, explained, “Although it won’t be a total eclipse, over 90% coverage is incredibly exciting. It’s a rare event not to be missed, but it’s vital to be prepared. Directly looking at the Sun without proper protection can cause serious eye damage.”
She added, “Solar eclipse glasses are very different from sunglasses as they block out almost all light except that of the Sun, making viewing safe. Solar telescopes offer an excellent way to watch the eclipse, and local astronomy societies may hold events to facilitate safe observation.
“If these options aren’t available, you can use a household colander to project the eclipse safely: face away from the Sun, hold the colander up, and see the eclipse’s crescent-shaped projection within the shadows.”
The next eclipse obscuring this much of the Sun visible in the UK will not occur until 2081, and the next total solar eclipse will be in 2090. Ms Bell recommends observers find an elevated spot facing west, away from buildings, to enjoy the best view.
“During the peak of the eclipse, you might notice the sky dimming slightly with the Sun appearing as if it has a ‘bite’ taken out of it, resembling a crescent shape,” she said.