How to make a safe DIY viewer for Wednesday's historic 2026 UK solar eclipse

How to make a safe DIY viewer for Wednesday's historic 2026 UK solar eclipse As families up and down the country prepare for a rare partial solar eclipse, a DIY pinhole projector should help captivate pint-sized astronomers This week, stargazers young and old are in for a real celestial treat: the most significant solar eclipse to hit our skies since 1999. On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, shortly after 6 pm, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, covering roughly nine-tenths of the solar face. A narrow path across Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Spain will experience a total eclipse, plunging the landscape into daytime darkness. Across the UK and Ireland, spectators can look forward to an impressive partial solar eclipse, with stronger coverage in the south-west regions reaching as much as 96 percent - a real historic feat. For many of us, this marks the last occasion in our lifetimes when we can expect to see an eclipse of such near totality on our shores. It will be another 55 years before a partial eclipse of this magnitude returns, while a total solar eclipse won't be visible from the UK until 2090. While this is an event you won't want to miss, enthusiastic observers should be mindful that it's never safe to stare into the sun, and that this can cause permanent retinal damage. Unless you have genuine eclipse glasses (which have widely sold out), viewing the eclipse indirectly with your back to the Sun is the safest way to enjoy this rare occurrence in all its glory. Fortunately, you don't need expensive astronomical gear to experience the magic, making this a perfect summer holiday craft project for young space enthusiasts. What you'll need: - Two sheets of white card - Scissors - Sticky tape - Aluminium foil - A pushpin How to make your projector: How to make and use your projector: - Cut the window: Fold one sheet of white card in half, then cut a small square out along the fold line. Unfold it to reveal a small central window. - Attach the foil: Cut a piece of foil slightly larger than the square, lay it over the window, and tape it down tightly on all four sides. - Make the pinhole: Gently pierce a single hole through the centre of the foil with your pin. (Adult supervision is recommended for little hands!) - Project the image: Stand with your back to the Sun. Hold the card with the foil window so sunlight hits it directly, placing the second blank sheet of card behind it as a screen. The light passing through the pinhole will project a tiny, sharp disc of the Sun onto your screen. With your simple yet nifty projector in place, it's time to wait for the extraordinary moment when the moon blots out the sun, and in turn, your miniature disc. What to expect and where to look: The solar eclipse begins with 'first contact', as the Moon begins moving across the Sun. After reaching its maximum point, it will then gradually come to an end as the moon drifts onwards and away. While there won't be complete darkness in the UK, the light will dip noticeably. Exact timings will differ depending on where in the UK you are. Maximum eclipse will occur between 7.05 pm and 7.16 pm, approximately. Should you want to practice this beforehand with curious youngsters, then grab yourself a bit of black card as your 'moon', passing over the top of the hole to mimic that awe-inspiring moment. For those with less time on their plate for arts and crafts this week, the same effect can be achieved with your everyday cheese grater or colander. Do make sure to still use a blank piece of white card or paper for your projector screen, however. This makes for a much clearer image, not to mention more wonder for your budding astronomers. While some parts of the country will be graced with more coverage, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your family's solar eclipse night is a true out-of-this-world experience. The Royal Astronomical Society advises avoiding artificial light and built-up areas if at all possible, to allow for greater immersion. Meanwhile, Skyscanner notes that the sun will already be quite low by the time of the maximum eclipse, and could well end up obscured by buildings, trees or hills. Astronomy enthusiasts are therefore encouraged to seek viewing points which look out uninterrupted towards either the west or west-north-west. "Open or elevated ground without nearby buildings and trees" would be ideal here, especially with "enough space to avoid blocking paths or crowding narrow viewpoints". Whether you're watching from the breathtaking Outer Hebrides or a city garden in London, the 2026 solar eclipse looks set to be one to remember. Do you have a story to share? Email me at [email protected]