UK solar eclipse: Warning as millions prepare to watch moon cover 90% of sun on Wednesday

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday, August 12, but experts warn anyone hoping to watch must use proper solar eclipse eye protection to avoid permanent eye damage

Aditi Rane and Abigail Hunt Content Editor

09:42, 10 Aug 2026

(Image: Getty Images)

People gearing up to observe this week's rare solar eclipse are being encouraged to inspect their protective glasses thoroughly, with experts cautioning that staring directly at the sun without appropriate protection can result in permanent eyesight damage.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday, August 12, offering millions of people the chance to experience a unique astronomical event. The South West is anticipated to witness the largest portion of the sun obscured by the moon, making the event particularly remarkable in areas of Cornwall and Devon.

Royal Museums Greenwich states that the eclipse will offer the most extensive coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the renowned 1999 solar eclipse, when a total eclipse was visible across parts of Cornwall and Devon.

[Specialist eclipse glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard to protect eyesight]

Specialist eclipse glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard to protect eyesight(Image: Getty)

However, anyone hoping to view the event has been cautioned not to gamble with their eyesight. During an eclipse, the sun can seem significantly dimmer than usual. This can make individuals feel more at ease looking directly at it, but the diminished brightness does not render it safe, reports the Express.

Intense sunlight can still reach the retina and inflict serious damage. The alarming aspect is that retinal damage can occur without causing immediate discomfort. Someone may therefore continue gazing at the sun without realising that their eyesight is being compromised.

After the 1999 eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists documented approximately 70 cases of individuals suffering vision difficulties following observation of the event. Roughly 40% of those affected had gazed at the sun for under a minute.

[Brits are being urged to not stare directly at the sun on Wednesday]

Brits are being urged to not stare directly at the sun on Wednesday(Image: Getty)

Standard sunglasses are not a secure substitute for specialist eclipse glasses. Even extremely dark sunglasses fail to offer the necessary protection for direct solar observation.

They may reduce brightness and create a more comfortable viewing experience while still permitting dangerous solar radiation to penetrate the retina.

Anyone intending to observe the eclipse directly should utilise authentic eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer equipped with a specialist solar filter. The equipment must comply with the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E).

[Make sure you wear special protective glasses to view the eclipse]

Make sure you wear special protective glasses to view the eclipse(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Individuals purchasing eclipse glasses online are being advised to exercise particular caution, as not every product marketed as an eclipse viewer will necessarily deliver sufficient protection. Should there be any uncertainty about whether a product meets the necessary safety standard, it must not be used.

Eclipse glasses should also be inspected prior to use. Anyone whose glasses feature scratched, torn, damaged or otherwise compromised lenses should replace them rather than risking injury.

There is another method to enjoy the eclipse without specialist glasses. Indirect viewing techniques, such as a basic pinhole projector, enable people to observe the eclipse without gazing directly at the Sun.

You can easily create a pinhole viewer at home by allowing sunlight to pass through a small hole and project an image of the Sun onto a sheet of paper or another surface. The gaps between tree leaves can also serve as natural pinhole projectors, creating multiple images of the partially eclipsed Sun.

A common household colander can produce a similar effect, with the holes projecting small images of the eclipsed sun onto the ground.

Those using binoculars or a telescope must exercise extreme caution. Regular binoculars and telescopes should never be used to look directly at the sun, as these magnifying tools can concentrate sunlight and cause serious eye damage.

Only equipment specifically designed for solar viewing or fitted with a suitable solar filter should be used.

Cloudy weather doesn't make it safe to look directly at the sun either. Even if clouds obscure the sun, individuals should continue to use appropriate eye protection and should never assume that cloud cover provides sufficient protection for their eyes.

The eclipse will be visible across the UK, although the extent of the Sun obscured by the Moon will differ depending on location. Those in the South West are expected to witness the greatest coverage.

Article continues below

In London, the eclipse is anticipated to start at around 6.17pm, reach maximum coverage at approximately 7.12pm and conclude at around 8.06pm. Times will vary across the country.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.