Solar Eclipse Safety Concerns Dominate as Glasses Sell Out
A partial solar eclipse will cross the UK on August 12, 2026. Royal Museums Greenwich says it will be the most complete solar eclipse the country has seen since 1999.
- 95 percent of the sun will be covered in South West England.
- 90 percent coverage is expected for viewers in London.
- First contact in Scotland occurs at 6:08pm; Cornwall sees it at 6:18pm.
- Parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northern Russia will see a total eclipse.
Why it matters: The UK Health Security Agency warns that retinal damage can occur within seconds of unprotected viewing, with no pain as a warning sign.
- After the 1999 eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists recorded about 70 cases of vision problems.
- 40 percent of those 1999 cases had looked at the eclipse for less than a minute.
How 8 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center frames the eclipse in a broader European context, noting the wider path of totality and citing NASA on the continental rarity of the event.
Left coverage, 4 sources: The left focuses on public health guidance and official safety warnings, emphasizing the risk of eye damage and the government's role in protecting viewers.
The Independent33mFive ways to watch the solar eclipse if you don’t have official glasses
Al Jazeera7hSolar eclipse tracker: What time will it hit your location on August 12?
The New York Times10hWhat to Know About Europe’s Total Solar Eclipse: Where to See It and How to Watch Safely
Time4hEurope Will Get Its First Total Solar Eclipse in Over 25 Years. Here's What You Should KnowRight coverage, 2 sources: The right leads with local viewing times and coverage percentages by region, foregrounding the spectacle and reader experience over safety warnings.
The Sun1hWhen is the next solar eclipse in the UK? How long we will wait to repeat the August 2026 phenomenon
Daily Mail4hWatching the solar eclipse this week? DON'T use your glasses from 1999! Experts warn viewers from the last eclipse may have degraded - putting your eyes at risk of permanent damageWhat’s next: Safe viewing requires certified eclipse glasses marked ISO 12312-2, a pinhole projector, or a colander's shadow.
- The Royal Observatory will livestream the eclipse on August 12.
- The Met Office advises checking local weather forecasts before viewing.
- Will cloud cover in specific UK regions block views on the day?
- How will demand for certified eclipse glasses hold up in the days before the event?