Solar eclipse 2026 watch live: See UK footage of once-in-a-generation show

Solar eclipse 2026 watch live: See UK footage of once-in-a-generation show A spectacular solar eclipse will be visible over the UK for the first time since 1999 with the Moon covering roughly 90% of the Sun The long-awaited solar eclipse is finally upon us - and you don't even need to leave the sofa to see it. The spectacular once-in-a-lifetime event will darken skies across the UK this evening, with the Moon covering roughly 90% of the Sun for the first time since 1999. Although the skies are forecast to be clear across much of the country, if you haven't got access to an eclipse viewer or aren't able to head outside, don't worry - we've got you covered with live streams beaming in the action as it happens. The eclipse will be at maximum coverage across the UK between about 7:05pm and 7:13pm tonight, with slight variations depending on geography. People in the Scilly Isles are set for the best seats in the house, with a whopping 96% of the Sun blotted out just before sunset. Stargazers are being warned to never look directly at the Sun without proper eclipse glasses, whatever the coverage. So if you haven't got a pair, streaming it safely from home might be your best bet anyway. Please ensure that your glasses clearly display the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, and avoid binoculars, a telescope, or a phone lens without a certified front-mounted solar filter. If you can't secure certified glasses, then a DIY pinhole projector is a free, safe alternative - Check out our guide to building one here. Although Brits won’t be able to view complete totality in the UK, unlike in parts of northern Spain, Greenland, and Iceland, today’s event is still the biggest solar eclipse seen from these shores since the unforgettable event of 11 August 1999. And as if one cosmic spectacle wasn’t enough, stargazers will also be treated to a double whammy. Today’s eclipse falls on a New Moon, leading to properly dark skies which will provide the perfect backdrop to view the Perseid meteor shower, which also reaches its peak later tonight. Tonight's event is the best chance at viewing totality for decades to come, with the next total solar eclipse visible from the UK not due until 2090. Our livestream of the event can be viewed above - pull up a seat and prepare to be amazed.