If you missed the 2026 solar eclipse, you’ll have to wait a while for the next one.
Tonight, crowds gathered across the continent to watch the ultra-rare phenomenon as more than 90% of the Sun became obscured by the Moon.
It marked the most significant eclipse since 1999, so it’s no surprise thousands queued in the streets to get their hands on eclipse glasses, hoping to catch a glimpse safely.
Others resorted to homemade viewing methods of cereal boxes and colanders, while photographers snapped away on their fancy cameras.
Expert advice was rife in the build-up, as people were warned against looking at the eclipse with the naked eye or even via their phone cameras due to the risk of damage.
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The Met Office also highlighted eight UK locations as the spots to catch an impressive view, including Plymouth, Cardiff, Birmingham, London, Inverness, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Newcastle.
Described as a once-in-a-generation event, tonight’s eclipse took place between 6.17pm and 8.06pm, with exact timings depending on location.
But if you were otherwise engaged, you might not get the same chance again.
When is the next solar eclipse?
The next total solar eclipse visible in the UK is not due until September 23, 2090.
There may be some hope, however, as experts have noted that the next comparable event visible in the UK will come in 2081.
September 3 that year marks the next time the Sun will be covered by the Moon more than 90% again.
Scientists have said that Cornwall and the south coast will be the best places to observe from.
As for other future events worth jotting down in your eclipse calendars, for those enthusiastic enough and willing to travel, on August 2, 2027, a partial solar eclipse will occur in the UK skies. It will be totally visible in areas of southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East.
According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, the following partial eclipses will be 50% coverage in 2030, 40% coverage in 2053, and 60% coverage in 2066.
The RMG adds that, in 2075 and 2082, there will be further partial eclipses with 70% coverage, and one in 2088 with 40% coverage.
There will be ‘a handful’ of minor eclipses in between, but it remains that 2026 was the most notable form of the celestial event for some time.
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