When can I next see a solar eclipse from the British Isles?

The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK mainland is that of 23rd September 2090. It follows a similar track to that of the last — 11th August 1999 — but shifted slightly to the north and occurs near sunset. In this computer simulation of the view from Penzance at 17:32 UT, the Sun and Moon are just 6° above the western horizon (note Mercury close to the eclipsed Sun). Totality will last 2 minutes 10 seconds from Cornwall. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK mainland is that of 23rd September 2090. It follows a similar track to that of the last — 11th August 1999 — but shifted slightly to the north and occurs near sunset. In this computer simulation of the view from Penzance at 17:32 UT, the Sun and Moon are just 6° above the western horizon (note Mercury close to the eclipsed Sun). Totality will last 2 minutes 10 seconds from Cornwall. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
With thousands still riding the wave of post-eclipse euphoria, many people are keen to know when they can see the next. If you’re prepared to travel, you can see a partial solar eclipse on 13th September 2015 from southern Africa, the South Indian Ocean and eastern Antarctica. However, if you wish to fully bathe in the Moon’s shadow, the next total eclipse of the Sun is just under a year away; on 9th March 2016 parts of Indonesia and a swathe of the Pacific will experience four minutes of darkness.

You may be surprised to learn that there can be as many as seven solar and lunar eclipses around the world in any one year, but not all of them will be total. The next instance of this is in 2038 when there will be four lunar and three solar eclipses (only one solar being total). Furthermore, in 1935 there were five solar eclipses — four partial and one annular — but in ‘normal’ years such as 2015, there will be two solar and two lunar eclipses.

It is also possible to have three eclipses in a single lunar month — the period between successive New or Full Moons — but that won’t happen again until July-August 2018 (solar, followed by lunar, then solar). Three eclipses in a calendar month is particularly rare; we have to wait until 2206 for the next instance of that.

While many of us have indelible memories of the last total eclipse of 11th August 1999 over Cornwall and South Devon, the next time the UK mainland will see the Sun fully extinguished by the Moon is close to sunset on 23rd September 2090 — yes, sadly, we all have quite a wait! At least the younger among you reading this will be alive to see it in 75 years time. (The total eclipse of 3rd September 2081 is visible from the Channel Islands).

However, don’t be too discouraged — there are some forthcoming eclipses that won’t require a passport to see. Here is a list of partial eclipses visible from the British Isles over the next 15 years, the trend favouring those observers in the north and west of the UK:

11th August 2018

The morning partial eclipse of 11th August 2018 is only visible from the extreme north of Scotland. The Orkney and Shetland Islands are favoured, but even here the percentage of Sun obscured will only be around 5%. The graphic shows a computer simulation of the filtered naked-eye view from Shetland at 08:45 UT.

The morning partial eclipse of 11th August 2018 is only visible from the north of Scotland. This shows a computer simulation of the filtered naked-eye view from Shetland at 08:45 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


10th June 2021

The morning annular eclipse of 10th June 2021 is partial over the entire British Isles, but the northwest of Scotland is favoured where the percentage of Sun obscured approaches 50%; it is nearer 30% in the southeast of England. This illustration shows a computer simulation of a filtered naked-eye view from Glasgow at 10:20 UT.

The morning annular eclipse of 10th June 2021 is partial over the entire British Isles, favouring the northwest of Scotland where the parcentage of Sun obscured approaches 50%, 30% in the southeast of England. This shows a computer simulation of the naked-eye (filtered) view from Glasgow at 10:20 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


25th October 2022

The morning partial eclipse of 25th October 2022 favours the northeast of Scotland where the percentage of Sun obscured by the Moon is around 35%. From the southern tip of Cornwall around 15% of the Sun’s disc is covered. This illustration shows a computer simulation of a filtered naked-eye view from Aberdeen at 09:50 UT.

The morning partial eclipse of 25th October 2022 favours the northeast of Scotland where the percentage of Sun obscured is around 35%, 15% in the southern tip of Cornwall. This shows a computer simulation of the naked-eye (filtered) view from Aberdeen at 09:50 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


12th August 2026

The total eclipse of 12th August 2026 is seen as a deep partial from the UK during the evening, where the west of Ireland is favourably placed and 95% of the Sun is obscured. In London, around 83% of the Sun is covered by the Moon. This image shows a computer simulation of the naked-eye (filtered) view from Sligo at 18:10 UT.

The total eclipse of 12th August 2026 is seen as a deep partial from the UK during the evening, favouring the west of Ireland at around 95%, 83% in London. This shows a computer simulation of the naked-eye (filtered) view from Sligo at 18:10 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


2nd August 2027

The total eclipse of 2nd August 2027 is seen as partial from the southern counties of England during the morning, where the percentage of Sun obscured is around 55%. From the tip of Scotland, around 30% of the Sun is covered by the Moon. This illustration shows a computer simulation of the naked-eye (filtered) view from London at 09:00 UT.

The total eclipse of 2nd August 2027 is seen as a partial from the southern counties of England during the morning, where the percentage of Sun obscured is around 55%, 30% in the tip of Scotland. This shows a computer simulation of the naked-eye (filtered) view from London at 09:00 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


26th January 2028

The annular eclipse of 26th January 2028 is seen close to sunset from the UK, where the west of the country is favoured. This is a computer simulation of a filtered naked-eye view from Cork in Ireland at 16:30 UT.

The annular eclipse of 26th January 2028 is seen close to sunset from the UK, where the west is favoured. This is a computer simulation of the view from Cork in Ireland at 16:30 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


1st June 2030

The annular eclipse of 1st June 2030 is seen as partial in the early morning from the UK, where the southeast is favoured and 60% of the Sun is obscured. From Scotland, around 50% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. This is a computer simulation of a filtered naked-eye view from Norwich at 05:20 UT.

The annular eclipse of 1st June 2030 is seen in the early morning from the UK, where the southeast is favoured and 60% of the Sun is obscured, 50% in Scotland. This is a computer simulation of the view from Norwich at 05:20 UT. AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium
AN graphic by Ade Ashford/Stellarium


Inside the magazine

In the April 2015 issue of Astronomy Now, we tell you everything you need to know about solar eclipses. Get your copy in the shops or order online.

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