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London will see its most complete solar eclipse<\/a> in over a quarter of a century on Wednesday. <\/p>\n The phenomenon means the moon<\/a> will pass directly between the Earth and the sun<\/a>, blocking the sun\u2019s light almost entirely. <\/p>\n It is estimated that around 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon, triggering a rare and stunning natural phenomenon. <\/p>\n There won\u2019t be a better eclipse in Britain until 2090, so you won\u2019t want to miss this one. <\/p>\n But the phenomenon isn\u2019t without its risks and Londoners should take care as they try to catch a glimpse. <\/p>\n The last total solar eclipse which could be seen from the UK was in 1999 <\/p>\n PA Archive<\/p>\n Here is everything you need to know about the solar eclipse.<\/p>\n An eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth. This blocks the light of the Sun to part of Earth, totally or partially.<\/p>\n The type of solar eclipse you experience depends on the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon, as well as where exactly on Earth you’re watching from. <\/p>\n On August 12 in the UK there will be a partial eclipse. it is a rare event because of how much of the sun will be blocked.<\/p>\n When is the solar eclipse and what is the best time to watch?<\/p>\n This week\u2019s solar eclipse<\/a> will begin at 6.17pm on Wednesday, August 12 for those based in London<\/a>, Bristol, and Cardiff. <\/p>\n The height of the eclipse is expected at 7.13pm for Londoners and it will last around 1 hour and 49 minutes until 8.06pm. <\/p>\n For those in Manchester and Liverpool, the eclipse will commence at 6.13pm, while for those in Scotland, the eclipse will begin closer to 6.08pm. <\/p>\n Some European countries, like Greenland and Iceland, are set to experience a total eclipse. <\/p>\n How to watch the eclipse safely <\/p>\n Partial solar eclipses carry more risks than total solar eclipses, because the latter involves the sun being entirely covered, albeit only briefly. <\/p>\n Local school kids wear protective glasses to watch a partial solar eclipse from Greenwich park in 2015<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n During a partial solar eclipse, it is never safe to look at the sun without eye protection, even though it looks as though it is being blocked by the moon. <\/p>\n \u201cThe glasses you use must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Glasses that have reached this safety standard will have the ISO standard printed on them, and they will have a manufacturer\u2019s report showing their compliance based on rigorous testing. They must also be free of any perforations or folds in the silvered lenses, as any damage to them risks making them unsafe to use,\u201d Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explains. <\/p>\n Best solar eclipse glasses <\/p>\n \u201cDo not under any circumstances use ordinary sunglasses \u2013 not only do these not provide the necessary protection from the sun\u2019s light, but the little light that they do block will make viewing the sun feel more comfortable even while the risk is still very much present.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2413fc49303c276f60e4e292006ec681Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzEyNjk0MTU3-2.69453435.jpg\")
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