UK to see deep partial solar eclipse on 12 August

The night of 12–13 August will offer a double celestial spectacle for stargazers across the UK. The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak during the early hours of 13 August, while earlier that evening a deep partial solar eclipse will sweep across the country. The eclipse will begin shortly after 6 pm BST and reach its maximum at approximately 7:13 pm, when roughly 90 % of the Sun’s diameter will be obscured.

Observers in much of the UK will see the Sun low in the western sky during the event, making a location with an unobstructed western horizon essential for the best view. The magnitude of the eclipse is the deepest partial solar eclipse visible in the UK since 1999, providing a rare opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to record the phenomenon. The Perseid peak will follow shortly after midnight, offering a continuous night of astronomical activity.

Astronomical societies advise that viewers exercise caution when observing the eclipse, using proper eye protection or indirect viewing methods. With the combination of a significant partial eclipse and the bright Perseid shower, the 12–13 August night promises a memorable evening for sky‑watchers across the United Kingdom.