Do you need special glasses to watch Solar Eclipse 2026? How to watch safely

Do you need special glasses to watch Solar Eclipse 2026? How to watch safely The UK is just days away from its most dramatic solar eclipse since 1999 - but before you look up, here's what you need to know about protecting your eyes With the most dramatic solar eclipse visible from the UK since 1999 just days away, many skygazers will be wondering if they can watch the spectacular event safely. The answer is yes with special glasses and there are other ways to enjoy the eclipse without risking damage to your eyes. On Wednesday, August 12, people across much of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, will be treated to an impressive partial solar eclipse, with around 90 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon. A total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely covers the Sun, will be visible from parts of Spain, Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia and a small area of northern Portugal. The exact timings will vary depending on location. In London, Bristol and Cardiff, the eclipse will begin at around 6.17pm, reach its maximum at around 7.12pm and finish at around 8.06pm, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich. Viewers in Cornwall will witness around 95 per cent coverage at 7.16pm, with the south-west set to experience the greatest eclipse coverage in the UK, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Do I need special glasses to watch the solar eclipse safely? Yes, you should use specially designed eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers to watch a solar eclipse safely as they are "thousands of times" darker than regular sunglasses, according to NASA. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse without proper protection can cause serious eye damage. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, blocking some or all of the Sun's light from reaching our planet. During an eclipse, the sky becomes darker and the Sun may appear less bright, which can make people more likely to stare at it for longer. But the remaining visible part of the Sun still emits intense ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation that can damage the retina, the UKHSA warned. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after viewing the 1999 total solar eclipse. Around 40 per cent of those affected had observed it for less than a minute. Even when wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer, NASA says people should never look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device. Are there other ways to watch the solar eclipse safely? For those without eclipse glasses, there are some cheap and cheerful ways to watch the phenomenon safely using items you may already have at home. The UKHSA recommends the following options: - Making a pinhole viewer at home . To do this you need a long cardboard box, such as a cereal box, white paper, aluminium foil, tape, scissors, and a push pin. Tape white paper inside the bottom of the box as a screen. Seal the top, cut two small holes on opposite ends, cover one with foil, and poke a clean pinhole in it - Viewing the Sun's image projected through a colander or the gaps between tree leaves - Projecting the Sun's image onto a sheet of paper using a simple pinhole projector You can also watch the eclipse online. The European Space Agency is hosting a live webcast from Spain's Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre, alongside a public celebration in León. NASA will also provide coverage, as will the Italy-based Virtual Telescope Project, among others.