Specialist glasses sell out as Britons prepare for rare solar eclipse

Specialist glasses have sold out at major retailers across the UK as Britons prepare for the best solar eclipse in decades. The eclipse, which will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, will see more than 90% of the sun obscured by the moon between 6:17 pm and 8:06 pm, according to independent.co.uk and yahoo.com. This will be the country's fullest solar eclipse for the next 54 years, with Devon, Cornwall, and the westernmost parts of Pembrokeshire in Wales expected to see the eclipse at its fullest, with a range of 94% to 96% of the sun obscured by the moon.

The Royal Greenwich Observatory has sold out of its eclipse glasses, with approximately 15,000 pairs sold in the last month, as reported by independent.co.uk and yahoo.com. Convenience stores, national parks, and other retailers have also exhausted their supplies, leaving many people without the necessary eye protection to safely view the eclipse. Experts have warned against using "knock-off" glasses, emphasizing that only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified can provide the safest eye protection.

Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, has advised people to observe the eclipse indirectly, such as by watching a live broadcast, to avoid damaging their eyes. As quoted by independent.co.uk and yahoo.com, "The safest way to enjoy the eclipse is to observe it indirectly, such as by watching a live broadcast. Looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision. Symptoms of this damage may not become apparent until several hours later and can include blurred vision, a central blind or dark spot, distorted vision, reduced color perception, and increased sensitivity to light."

In North Wales, the weather forecast is looking favorable for viewing the eclipse, with dry and mostly sunny conditions expected, according to leaderlive.co.uk. The region is predicted to have one of the better vantage points in the UK, with only wispy high cloud or haze expected to affect the view. The MWIS Eryri/Snowdonia forecast has predicted extensive sunshine with good visibility, although a haze is possible. Wrexham and Flintshire's Met Office forecast has also predicted dry and mostly sunny conditions, with only a little wispy high cloud at times.

For those looking to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse, the best places to view it will be in the western parts of the UK, with Plymouth expected to see the moon cover 94.66% of the sun at 7:16 pm, as reported by independent.co.uk and yahoo.com. The rest of Wales, Northern Ireland, parts of the West Midlands and the South West, and the westernmost parts of Scotland can expect to see 92% to 94% solar coverage. In contrast, the easternmost parts of the UK, including the coasts of Norfolk, Yorkshire, and Aberdeenshire, as well as the Orkney and Shetland Islands, will see only 88% to 90% of the sun obscured by the moon.

In addition to the solar eclipse, stargazers will also have the opportunity to see the annual Perseid meteor shower, which reaches its peak on the night of August 12-13, hours after the eclipse, according to independent.co.uk and yahoo.com. The shower is produced as Earth ploughs through a stream of dust left behind by Comet Swift–Tuttle, with each tiny grain striking Earth's atmosphere at about 60 kilometers per second, burning up in a brief flash that takes the appearance of a shooting star.

As the UK prepares for this rare celestial event, people are advised to take necessary precautions to protect their eyes and to find a safe and suitable location to view the eclipse. With the right equipment and a bit of luck with the weather, this solar eclipse promises to be an unforgettable experience for those who witness it.