UK solar eclipse glasses sell out as experts urge safe viewing methods

With certified solar eclipse glasses sold out across the United Kingdom, authorities and experts are urging the public to use safe, indirect methods to view the significant partial solar eclipse scheduled for the evening of August 12, 2026. The event, which will see the moon obscure more than 90% of the sun, is the most substantial visible from the UK since the total eclipse of 1999 and will not be matched until 2081.

The eclipse is forecast to begin at approximately 6:17 p.m. and conclude around 8:06 p.m., with the maximum coverage occurring shortly after 7:00 p.m. The best views are expected in the South West, where locations like Plymouth could see up to 95% of the sun obscured. The rest of the country should witness coverage of at least 89%. The Met Office has indicated that weather conditions across much of the UK will be favorable for viewing, with clear skies forecast for most areas, though cloud cover may affect parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

In the days leading up to the event, a nationwide scramble for protective eyewear has left retailers depleted. The Royal Observatory Greenwich reported selling approximately 15,000 pairs of certified glasses in the...