On 12 August 2026 you will be able to see a partial solar eclipse from the UK. If the weather cooperates it’s going to be an amazing spectacle with about 90% of the Sun covered as seen from Edinburgh. But please make sure you watch it safely.
The easiest way to see it for most people is by using eclipse glasses. But be careful – not all are safe!
Here’s an article on ukeclipse.com about buying safe eclipse glasses and you can buy them directly and confidently from suppliers such as Go Stargazing and First Light Optics.
We’ll be on Calton Hill at the old City Observatory (our former home, now Collective) on the 12 August 2026 for the eclipse and have a lot of eclipse glasses to give away. We’ll also have our solar telescopes with us to look at the Sun (safely!) in more detail, so join us then. More information to follow about that event.
For Edinburgh these are the important timings:
- Begins: Wed, 12 Aug 2026, 18:08 BST
- Maximum: Wed, 12 Aug 2026, 19:05 BST
- Ends: Wed, 12 Aug 2026, 20:00 BST
So enjoy the eclipse but please make sure you do it safely. And as always:
Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection!
It’s just not worth the risk of losing your eyesight.
Image credit: Mark Phillips, March 2015