Partial Solar Eclipse 2026: How to Protect Your Eyes
- neilp171
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
On Wednesday 12 August 2026, a spectacular partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK – including Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
It's set to be one of the most impressive solar eclipses visible from Britain for many years, but there's one very important message:
Never look directly at the Sun without suitable eclipse eye protection – even during a partial eclipse.
When Is the Partial Solar Eclipse?
For Yorkshire and the Humber, the eclipse is expected to take place at approximately:
🌒 Eclipse begins: 6:12 pm🌘 Maximum eclipse: 7:09 pm🌒 Eclipse ends: 8:02 pm
At its maximum, around 90% of the Sun will be obscured from our part of the country.
Exact timings and the amount of the Sun covered vary slightly depending on your location.
The eclipse will also occur relatively late in the day, with the Sun becoming lower towards the western horizon as the event progresses.
What Actually Causes a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
From certain locations on Earth, the Moon appears to move across the face of the Sun.
The eclipse on 12 August is actually a total solar eclipse along a narrow path crossing areas including Greenland, Iceland and Spain.
Here in the UK, however, we are outside the path of totality. This means we'll see a partial solar eclipse, with the Moon covering a large proportion of the Sun rather than completely blocking it.
Even with around 90% of the Sun covered, the remaining visible part is still intensely bright and is not safe to look at directly without suitable eye protection.
Why Is This Eclipse Particularly Interesting?
This is an unusually deep partial eclipse for the UK.
From different parts of Britain and Ireland, roughly 90–96% of the Sun will be obscured, with greater coverage generally occurring further south-west.
For many people, this will therefore be one of the most impressive eclipses they've seen from the UK.
But 90% covered does not mean 90% safer.
The uncovered portion of the Sun is still powerful enough to damage your eyes if viewed directly without appropriate protection.
Why Can Looking at an Eclipse Damage Your Eyes?
Looking directly at the Sun can expose the retina at the back of the eye to extremely intense light.
This can cause solar retinopathy, where light damages the retinal tissue responsible for detailed central vision.
One of the worrying things about solar retinopathy is that the retina has no pain receptors, so damage can occur without your eyes hurting at the time.
Symptoms afterwards can include:
• Blurred or reduced central vision• A dark or blank spot in the centre of your vision• Distorted vision• Changes in colour vision• Increased sensitivity to light
Some people experience improvement with time, but solar retinal damage can potentially cause permanent visual problems.
Ordinary Sunglasses Are Not Enough
Even your best pair of sunglasses – however dark the lenses – should not be used to look directly at the Sun.
If you want to view the eclipse directly, you need purpose-made solar eclipse viewers or eclipse glasses that meet the appropriate ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
Make sure they're genuine and undamaged. Do not use eclipse glasses if the lenses are scratched, torn, punctured or otherwise compromised.
Never improvise with smoked glass, photographic film, CDs or several pairs of ordinary sunglasses.
Cameras, Binoculars and Telescopes Need Extra Care
Never look directly at the Sun through:
• Binoculars• A telescope• A camera's optical viewfinder
unless the equipment has an appropriate solar filter specifically designed for that purpose and correctly fitted to the front of the optical system.
Binoculars and telescopes concentrate sunlight, making them particularly dangerous.
Importantly, wearing eclipse glasses while looking through unfiltered binoculars or a telescope is not safe.
A Simple Way to Watch Without Looking at the Sun
You don't actually need to look directly at the Sun to enjoy the eclipse.
A pinhole projector allows you to project an image of the Sun onto another surface and watch the Moon gradually move across it.
Even something as simple as the small holes in a colander can produce multiple projected images of the partially eclipsed Sun.
It's a particularly good way of demonstrating the eclipse to children without encouraging them to look upwards at the Sun.
What If You Accidentally Look at the Eclipse?
A fleeting accidental glance towards the Sun doesn't automatically mean you've damaged your eyes.
However, if you've been looking directly at the eclipse and subsequently notice:
• Blurred central vision• Distortion• A dark or blank spot• Colours looking different• Any unexplained reduction in vision
you should seek professional eye-care advice promptly.
Enjoy the Eclipse – But Protect Your Eyes
The partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August 2026 should be a fascinating event.
Here in Yorkshire, look out for the eclipse beginning at approximately 6:12 pm, with the maximum at around 7:09 pm.
Just remember:
Partial doesn't mean safe to look at.
Use certified eclipse glasses, use an indirect viewing method such as a pinhole projector, or watch a professionally produced live broadcast.
Enjoy what should be a memorable evening – but please look after your eyes.
Comments