It's finally here. After 27 years, the UK is getting its most significant solar eclipse since the famous total eclipse of 1999, and we won't see anything this good again until 2081. We're watching from Bude in Cornwall, but wherever you've parked up today, you're in for a treat.
What's happening today?
This evening (Wednesday 12 August), a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the entire UK. The Moon will slide across the face of the Sun, blocking between 90% and 96% of it depending on where you are. The eclipse starts at roughly 6pm, hits its peak between 7pm and 7:15pm, and wraps up around 8:10pm BST. The Sun will be low in the western sky, so anywhere with a clear view to the west is a good spot.
The path of totality passes over Iceland and northern Spain, just missing the UK, but we're close enough to see something truly spectacular.
Why this eclipse matters
The last time the UK saw anything like this was 11 August 1999, when a total eclipse crossed Cornwall and Devon. Today's is the closest we've come since. With so much of the Sun covered, the sky will noticeably darken, temperatures may drop, and if you're somewhere quiet you might notice birds going silent.
After today, the next eclipse of this magnitude visible from the UK won't happen until 2081. If you're reading this and haven't stepped outside yet, now's the time.
Best places to watch across the UK
The further south and west you are, the more coverage you'll get, but the eclipse is impressive from everywhere. Here's a rough guide:
South-west England (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset) - Up to 95-96% coverage. The best in the country. West-facing beaches and clifftops are ideal.
South Wales (Pembrokeshire, Gower, Cardiff) - Around 93-94% coverage with stunning coastal views to the west.
London and the South East - About 91% coverage. Head to a park or rooftop with clear western views.
The Midlands and Manchester - Around 91% coverage. Higher ground helps.
Northern Ireland (Belfast) - Roughly 93% coverage and some beautiful west-facing coastline.
Scotland - Coverage drops a little further north but still around 85-90%. Plenty of wide-open sky to enjoy it from.
Really, anywhere with a clear, unobstructed view to the west-northwest will work. Clifftops, hilltops, beaches, open fields, even a motorhome roof if you're feeling adventurous. The Sun will be low, so the main thing is avoiding trees and buildings on your western horizon.
How to watch it safely
This is important. Even when 95% of the Sun is covered, the remaining sliver is more than bright enough to cause permanent eye damage.
Eclipse glasses - Use certified ISO 12312-2 glasses. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are nowhere near enough. Check your lenses aren't scratched or damaged.
Pinhole projector - Poke a small hole in a piece of card and project the Sun's image onto a flat surface behind it. Simple, safe, surprisingly effective.
Colander trick - Hold a kitchen colander up and watch the crescent shapes it projects onto the ground.
Tree shadows - Look at the dappled light under trees. During the eclipse, those little circles of light turn into crescents.
Never look directly at the Sun without certified protection, not through sunglasses, not through your phone camera, and definitely not through binoculars or a telescope without a proper solar filter.
Where are you watching from?
We're set up at Bude on the north Cornwall coast and the excitement is building. Whether you're parked up on a clifftop somewhere, sitting in a field in the Midlands, or catching a glimpse from your garden, enjoy it. This is a rare one.
Let us know where you're watching from today!