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UK to Witness 90% Solar Eclipse Aug 12, 2026

7/28/2026

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The United Kingdom will see a partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 that will obscure 90 %–96 % of the Sun, the strongest UK eclipse since 1999.
The eclipse will start at 6 p.m., peak at 7 p.m., finish by 8 p.m., requiring viewers to use ISO 12312-2 glasses because ordinary sunglasses are unsafe.
Croydon, Flamsteed and Loughton societies will host viewings at Kenley Airfield and Greenwich, the Observatory streaming the eclipse if clouds block.

History

Historical Context

The August 11 1999 total solar eclipse, which darkened 97 % of the Sun over the UK, prompted the Royal Astronomical Society to run 150 public sessions and the BBC to reach about two million viewers. That safety-focused response now guides 2026 viewing events organized by local societies at Greenwich Observatory, with the European Space Agency preparing data collection.

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Story summary

The United Kingdom will see a partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 that will obscure 90 %–96 % of the Sun, the strongest UK eclipse since 1999.
The eclipse will start at 6 p.m., peak at 7 p.m., finish by 8 p.m., requiring viewers to use ISO 12312-2 glasses because ordinary sunglasses are unsafe.
Croydon, Flamsteed and Loughton societies will host viewings at Kenley Airfield and Greenwich, the Observatory streaming the eclipse if clouds block.

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