Today (Wednesday, August 12), the UK witnessed its greatest solar eclipse since 1999. The Moon covered more than 90% of the Sun, but despite looking spectacular, it was still just a partial eclipse. You will have to wait more than 64 years for the next total eclipse visible in the UK (where the Sun is completely eclipsed by the Moon).
The next total eclipse visible from the UK’s mainland will follow a track similar to that of August 11, 1999, but shifted slightly north and will occur near sunset. You will have to travel to Cornwall on Saturday, September 23, 2090, to experience it completely, however, where it will peak for 2 minutes and 10 seconds. In London, it will be 99.5% covered.
The next visible total solar eclipse over the capital isn’t for another 124 years, taking place on Monday, June 14, 2151—with totality lasting 1 minute and 22 seconds. But don’t throw out your pinhole projectors and solar viewing glasses yet; there are plenty of upcoming partial solar eclipses in the UK we’ll (hopefully) live long enough to see.
The next solar eclipses in the UK:
August 2, 2027:
The partial eclipse will range from 30% in the north of Scotland to almost 60% in the southwest of England, but it will be a total eclipse in Gibraltar.
January 26, 2028:
A 40% partial eclipse at sunset.
June 1, 2030:
A 50% partial eclipse at sunset.
August 21, 2036:
A 60–70% partial eclipse.
January 15, 2037:
A 50–60% partial eclipse at sunrise.
January 5, 2038:
Less than 20% partial eclipse at sunset.
July 2, 2038:
Less than 20% partial eclipse.
June 21, 2039:
A 60% partial eclipse, almost 80% in the north of Scotland.
June 11, 2048:
A 60% partial eclipse.
November 14, 2050:
An 80% partial eclipse, except in the south and southwest of England.
September 12, 2053:
A 40–60% partial eclipse, strongest in the south.
November 5, 2059:
A 70–80% partial eclipse at sunrise.
September 3, 2062:
A less than 20% partial eclipse in the north of Scotland.
February 5, 2065:
An 80% partial eclipse.
April 21, 2069:
A 50% partial eclipse in northwest Scotland.
September 12, 2072:
A 40% partial eclipse in northwest Scotland.
July 13, 2075:
A 60% partial eclipse at sunrise.
November 26, 2076:
A 40–60% partial eclipse.
May 1, 2079:
A 40% partial eclipse, over 60% in the northwest of Scotland.
September 3, 2081:
An 80% partial eclipse across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and over 60% in Scotland. A total solar eclipse in the Channel Islands.
February 27, 2082:
A 60–80% partial eclipse at sunset, strongest in the south.
April 21, 2088:
A 40–50% partial eclipse, strongest in the southeast
September 23, 2090:
A total solar eclipse visible from Cornwall.
