Overview
- The partial eclipse will sweep across the UK on Wednesday 12 August with first contact varying by region roughly between 6:08pm and 6:18pm BST, the peak between about 7:02pm and 7:16pm, and the event ending around 8:06pm–8:10pm.
- Authorities and astronomers warn that looking at the Sun without ISO 12312‑2 certified eclipse glasses or indirect methods can cause rapid, painless and permanent retinal damage and that regular sunglasses are unsafe.
- South‑west England and parts of west Wales offer the deepest views, with locations in Devon, Cornwall and Pembrokeshire seeing the Sun covered by roughly 94–96 percent at maximum.
- Public demand has strained supplies of certified viewers, prompting organised events and livestreams that will supply safe viewing, and commercial offers such as Octopus Energy’s promotion which requires enrolment in its Octoplus loyalty scheme and Savings Sessions to participate.
- Science teams, observatories and broadcasters have coordinated flights, high‑altitude balloons and ground stations to study the corona and atmospheric effects while the eclipse coincides with the Perseid meteor shower peak overnight, creating extended skywatching opportunities and modest local drops in solar generation.