Eclipse August 2026

finbaar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985033#Comment_81985033

I looked at this years eclipse as a possibility but as it is so near to sunset you have to be be in the right position -west coast basically- to see it . And ifyou can't see the horizon you'll miss it.

So next year's was the one to go for as it's about 11am in Gibraltar so no issues with seeing it at all. I've got my accomodation booked and just need to sort flights. As others have said a 91% partial eclipse is nothing.

GDB2222

Just to clarify, sunset is around 8.30PM (in London). The eclipse will be at its maximum at around 7.13PM.

So, I would expect the sun to be fairly visible 75 minutes before sunset without travelling to the coast?

Flugelhorn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81985112#Comment_81985112

I was having an extension built at the time, apparently the builders said "was that it?" after the eclipse on 99

NewtsInThePond

@GDB2222 in answer to your question that I just noticed, I am heading off on a road trip through France and down to view the total solar eclipse on the Northern Coast of Spain. I plan my hols around eclipses (so I know where I am going years ahead, which I appreciate may not suit everyone!) so it was never an option NOT to get to the 100% line, as this one is (relatively, compared with other eclipses!!!) such an easily accessible location for me to drive to. Hey ho though, it could be cloudy (as the weather is out of my control) but I have to at least give myself a decent chance to see the eclipse, by putting myself into the best possible place that I can feasible get to.

Good quality and reputably purchased eclipse glasses are essential to view the sun, but as @Frozen_up_north said, use a pair of binoculars (and a reminder to definitely not to look through them!!!) to project the image of the sun onto white card. This is a fantastic way way to view an eclipse and can look amazing when you get it right (maybe have a bit of a practice beforehand) and can see sunspots and you will see the moon moving over over the sun, and I think can be much more interesting than through eclipse glasses.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has some great info on their site (how to make a pinhole camera and using a colander to project lots of mini suns - honestly, this really works and can look great with a bit of practice!!!) . There are also lots of events going on in other parts of the country that people can join and be part of this astronomical natural phenomena together! 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse | Royal Observatory Greenwich

I really hope you enjoy the partial eclipse in London, but I definitely recommend looking into getting yourself to the 100% totality line for the next one in Southern Spain or Northern Africa! There really is nothing quite like it! 🌞🌛

LightFlare

we used old scrap pieces of exposed x-ray film - perfect for the job in 1999 (?)

not viable nowadays when most imaging is digital

GDB2222

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82091817#Comment_82091817

My son told me that 25 years ago he viewed an eclipse through a couple of CDs. I don't think that's a great plan. although he seems to have survived unscathed.

Yorkie1

With all due respect nobody in the UK may as well bother pay it any attention, 91% was similar to what I experience in the UK in 1999 (?) and you could barely tell the difference.

I remember being in Bradford in 1999 and went outside for the eclipse. The birds went quieter and I felt it was somewhat eerie, even if not a total eclipse.

Must remember to go outside on Wednesday evening - may even set an alarm!!

Yorkie1

With the binoculars / card trick, presumably you put the eye sights towards the sun and the wider end of the binoculars pointing towards the card? Or the other way around?

spenderdave

I have the eclipse filter I got at the time of the 1999 eclipse, they were widely available then. As for the eclipse, having seen totality then at Salzburg all the partials are non-events

Yarrows

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82098606#Comment_82098606

Yes that was my experience further north as well. It was like the world held its breath for a few minutes. It also felt noticeably cooler. It was an overcast day with the sun barely visible through clouds, but the eclipse happened in a small cloudless gap.

It may not have been totality but it was its own special experience. I'll be out tomorrow evening :)