Partial solar eclipse to obscure over 90% of sun on 12 August
Met Office warns cloud may block views in much of Scotland, with eastern areas most likely to see the event
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A partial solar eclipse will obscure more than 90% of the sun over UK skies on the evening of 12 August, the deepest coverage since the total eclipse in 1999. The event will begin shortly after 6pm, with the peak occurring at slightly different times across the country. In Inverness, 90.74% of the sun will be obscured at 7.03pm, while in Edinburgh, 90.71% will be covered at 7.06pm.
Cloud cover may block views in much of Scotland
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The Met Office has warned that cloud cover may obscure the eclipse for many viewers. A weather front is expected to keep north-western Scotland under cloud throughout the evening. However, eastern areas such as Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray are forecast to have clearer skies, offering the best chance of viewing the event.
The central belt and southern Scotland may also see breaks in the cloud, though conditions are less certain. A Met Office spokesperson said the cloud in these areas is expected to be thinner than in the north-west, increasing the possibility of gaps appearing during the evening.
Viewing events and safety warnings
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The Royal Astronomical Society will host a public viewing event at the observatory on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Visitors will be provided with free eclipse glasses and access to a solar telescope. Similar events are planned across Scotland, including at Red Burn Farm in Glasgow, the Dark Space Planetarium in Kirkcudbright, and locations in Orkney and the Isle of Gigha.
Experts have issued strong warnings about the dangers of looking directly at the sun during the eclipse. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of vision damage after the 1999 eclipse, with 40% of those affected having looked for less than a minute. Only ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses should be used to view the event safely.
What happens next
The next partial solar eclipse of comparable depth in the UK will not occur until 2081. Residents planning to watch the 12 August event are advised to check local weather forecasts and use certified eye protection. A full list of organised viewing events is available at ukeclipse.com.
Questions this report answers
+When will the partial solar eclipse peak in Scotland?
The eclipse will peak at different times across Scotland. In Inverness, it will reach 90.74% coverage at 7.03pm, while in Edinburgh, 90.71% of the sun will be obscured at 7.06pm. The event begins shortly after 6pm and ends by 8.15pm.
+Where in Scotland will have the best chance of seeing the eclipse?
The Met Office forecasts that eastern areas like Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray are most likely to have clear skies. The central belt and southern Scotland may also see breaks in cloud cover, but north-western areas are expected to remain cloudy.
+How can I watch the eclipse safely?
Experts warn against looking directly at the sun, as even brief exposure can cause lasting vision damage. Only ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses should be used. Free glasses will be available at organised events, such as the one at Calton Hill in Edinburgh.
+When will the next comparable eclipse happen in the UK?
The next partial solar eclipse of similar depth in the UK will not occur until 2081. The 12 August event is the deepest coverage since the total eclipse in 1999.
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