Wednesday 12 August 2026: A spectacular solar eclipse will sweep across the Northern Hemisphere

Britain is preparing for one of the most spectacular astronomical events in years as the Moon moves directly between Earth and the Sun on Wednesday 12 August 2026.

The event will be a total solar eclipse along a narrow path crossing Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and northern Spain, with a small part of Portugal also experiencing totality. Across much of Europe, including the UK, people will instead see a partial solar eclipse.

What will we see in the UK?

Here in the UK, we won’t see the Sun disappear completely. Instead, the Moon will cover most of the Sun, making it look like someone has taken a huge bite out of it!

In some parts of the UK, more than 90% of the Sun will be covered. That’s a LOT of Sun disappearing!

The eclipse will happen in the evening, so keep your eyes on the sky!

🌍 Some places will see TOTAL darkness!

People in places such as Iceland and parts of Spain will be lucky enough to see a total solar eclipse.

For a short time, the Moon will completely cover the Sun. The sky will become much darker, and people may even be able to see the Sun’s glowing outer atmosphere, called the corona.

How cool is that? 😲

🔬 Scientists are excited too!

It’s not just children and families who are excited about the eclipse.

Scientists will be watching carefully to learn more about the Sun. NASA is even using special aircraft to study the eclipse from high up in the sky!

They hope the eclipse will help them understand more about the Sun and its fiery atmosphere.

👀 IMPORTANT: Protect your eyes!

NEVER look directly at the Sun! ☀️

Even during an eclipse, looking at the Sun without proper protection can hurt your eyes.

If you’re watching the eclipse, make sure you use special eclipse glasses or an approved solar viewer. Normal sunglasses are not safe.

And remember — because the UK will only see a partial eclipse, you must keep your eye protection on while looking at the Sun.

🤔 DID YOU KNOW?

🌙 A solar eclipse happens when the Moon gets between Earth and the Sun.

🌍 The Moon’s shadow travels across Earth during an eclipse.

☀️ The Sun is actually much bigger than the Moon — it only looks about the same size in the sky because the Sun is much farther away.

⏰ The eclipse on 12 August 2026 will be one of the biggest sky-watching events of the year!

How about an Eclipse Challenge!

Can you answer these?

1. What moves in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse?

2. Will the UK see a total or partial eclipse?

3. Why should you never look directly at the Sun?

4. Can you draw what you think the eclipsed Sun will look like?

🌞🌑 Keep looking up!

Grab your eclipse glasses, find a safe place to watch and get ready for an amazing show in the sky!

WEDNESDAY 12 AUGUST 2026 — DON’T MISS IT!