A major solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, providing a rare celestial event for observers across Europe, North Africa, and the Arctic. While a narrow path of totality will stretch from Greenland and Iceland through northern Spain and a small part of Portugal, other regions will experience a significant partial eclipse.
Viewing Locations and Timing
In the United Kingdom, the event is described as the deepest partial eclipse visible since 1999, with the Moon obscuring up to 95 percent of the Sun. According to en.tempo.co, the eclipse in the UK is expected to begin at approximately 6:17 p.m. BST, reach maximum coverage around 7:12–7:13 p.m. BST, and end shortly after 8:00 p.m.
Recommended viewing spots in the UK include Parliament Hill, Greenwich Park, Crystal Palace, Alexandra Palace, Primrose Hill, and Telegraph Hill. In the West Country, astronomers suggest elevated sites such as Land’s End, Little Solsbury Hill, Cleeve Hill, and Exmoor National Park.
In Tunisia, the partial eclipse will be visible in the late afternoon, starting between 18:40 and 18:46 depending on the region. The highest level of occultation will occur in the northwest, with Tabarka seeing 59.06% of the solar disc masked, compared to 45.92% in Tunis and 19.55% in Tataouine.
Safe Observation Methods
Directly viewing the Sun without protection is dangerous. For those without certified eclipse glasses, experts recommend several indirect viewing methods:
- Creating a simple pinhole projector.
- Observing sunlight passing through a kitchen colander.
- Watching crescent-shaped sunlight projected through gaps between tree leaves.
For a pinhole projection, Skyatnightmagazine notes that viewers should be at least one metre from the screen to achieve a decent-sized image. For those unable to observe in person, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will provide a live stream of the event.
Photography Equipment and Techniques
Capturing the eclipse requires specialized gear to prevent equipment damage and ensure image quality. For basic photographs, experts suggest placing eclipse glasses over a smartphone camera lens. For those using DSLR or mirrorless cameras, a dedicated solar filter attached to a telephoto lens is essential.
K&F CONCEPT, a photography accessories brand, is offering specific tools for the event, including the ND100000 filter which provides 16.6 stops of light reduction. The company has also launched the See the Unseen Dark
campaign, which includes a multi-platform live broadcast on August 12 and an international photography competition running from August 12 to September 15, 2026.
Technical tips for high-quality imaging include:
- Focusing: Use sunspots, granulation, or the solar limb for precise focus.
- Settings: Use a low ISO around 200 and reduce exposure to prevent the Sun’s disc from appearing pure white.
- Stability: Use a tripod and a remote shutter cable to avoid camera shake.
- Filters: While white-light filters show sunspots, hydrogen-alpha filters can reveal fine detail and prominences.
- Timing: For timelapse sequences, an interval of every 5–10 minutes is recommended.
Preparation and Planning
Astronomers advise setting up imaging kits well before the eclipse begins to ensure all equipment is safely filtered. Photographers are encouraged to rehearse a few days in advance by testing filters with shots of the Sun and fine-tuning the results.
In regions like Tunisia, observers are reminded that a totally clear horizon toward the west is necessary for viewing, as the eclipse will occur as the Sun descends toward the horizon. In the UK, although the event takes place in the late afternoon, the Sun’s altitude will remain over 10° as the eclipse ends, meaning it will remain bright and powerful.
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