Solar Eclipse 12th August 2026
Just before sunset on Wednesday 12 August 2026, people in the UK and Ireland will see a partial solar eclipse, when around 90% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon.
The new Moon and the Sun will gradually move closer together in the sky in the late afternoon. As the side facing us will be dark, the Moon will be invisible without specialist equipment.

Eclipse timings around the UK
Exact timings of the 12 August solar eclipse will vary around the UK and Ireland. In general you’ll be able to see more coverage the further south-west you are.
For example, viewers in London will see 90% coverage, while viewers in Cornwall will see roughly 95%, and viewers in Pembrokeshire will see 94%. If you’re able to go to the south-western tip of Ireland, you might see almost 97.5% coverage.
| Stage | Edinburgh and Glasgow | Galway and Dublin | Manchester and Liverpool | Norwich | London, Bristol and Cardiff | Truro, Cornwall |
| ‘First contact’ (the Moon first covers the disc of the Sun) | 6.08pm | 6.12pm | 6.13pm | 6.15pm | 6.17pm | 6.18pm |
| Eclipse maximum (when most of the Sun is covered) | 7.05pm | 7.10pm | 7.10pm | 7.11pm | 7.12pm | 7.16pm |
| End of eclipse (the Moon is no longer covering the Sun) | 8pm | 8.05-06pm | 8.03-04pm | 8.04pm | 8.06pm | 8.10pm |
Video showing the path of the 2026 solar eclipse