UK to see deep partial solar eclipse on August 12

The UK will not enter the path of totality on Aug. 12, but the eclipse will still be a major evening event. NASA’s timetable for London puts first contact at about 6:17 p.m., maximum eclipse at 7:13 p.m. and the end of the partial phase at roughly 8:06 p.m. At maximum, about 91% of the Sun’s visible area will be covered in London. Across the Irish Sea, Dublin is listed at about 94%. The narrow zone where the Sun disappears completely runs farther north and south through Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain and a tiny portion of northeastern Portugal. The difference between a 91% partial eclipse and totality is not just visual. Even when the Sun is reduced to a narrow crescent, its exposed surface is bright enough to damage eyes. NASA advises using proper eclipse glasses or safe handheld solar viewers throughout every partial phase. Ordinary sunglasses are not adequate. People planning to use a camera, binoculars or telescope also need a purpose-built solar filter fitted to the front of the optics. A simple pinhole projector is a safe alternative because it lets viewers watch a projected image without looking at the Sun itself.