The Moon passed between the Sun and Earth on Wednesday, partially blocking the Sun across the United Kingdom and obscuring more than 90% of its surface in some parts of the country — the most significant solar eclipse Britain has experienced since 1999.
UK solar eclipse obscures more than 90% of Sun in some areas
The Moon passed between the Sun and Earth on Wednesday, partially blocking the Sun across the United Kingdom and obscuring more than 90% of its surface in some parts of the country — the most significant solar eclipse Britain has experienced since 1999.
People gathered at hilltop parks and other locations with unobstructed views to watch the event.
At Greenwich Park in London, which offers views over the River Thames and central London, the sky turned grey as the eclipse reached its peak.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich captured the moment, with a thin sliver of sunlight visible above the Moon.
- The source does not state the exact percentage of Sun obscured in specific named locations.
- The source does not identify which parts of the country recorded the highest obscuration.
- The source does not state the precise time the eclipse reached its peak.
- The source does not provide crowd size estimates for any location.
- The source does not state how the 2026 eclipse compared in magnitude to the 1999 eclipse beyond describing it as the 'best' since that year.