Solar eclipse 2026: how to watch safely without glasses

Wednesday's solar eclipse is the UK's most significant since 1999, but millions of people may be left without specialist eclipse glasses as stocks have run out both online and in stores. Experts stress that looking directly at the sun, even briefly, can cause permanent eye damage.

Why regular sunglasses are not safe

Health officials warn that ordinary sunglasses and dark goggles do not provide adequate UV protection for looking at the sun. Only glasses certified to ISO 12312-2 standard are safe for direct solar viewing. With certified glasses sold out at major retailers including the Royal Museums Greenwich, viewers need to find alternatives.

Three safe DIY methods

1. Pinhole camera: Make a small hole in a piece of card. Hold the card up to the sun and let the light project through the hole onto a second piece of card or the ground behind you. Never look through the hole directly at the sun. This simple method produces a clear image of the eclipse.

2. Colander or strainer projection: A kitchen colander held up to the sun projects dozens of tiny eclipse images onto a surface below. This works because each hole acts as its own pinhole camera.

3. Binocular or telescope projection: Point one lens of a pair of binoculars at the sun (without looking through it) and hold a white card behind the eyepiece. The eclipse image will be projected onto the card. Never look through the eyepiece directly.

What to expect in the UK

People in the UK will see a partial eclipse rather than the total eclipse visible in parts of Spain, Greenland and Iceland. The partial eclipse will still be spectacular, blocking a significant portion of the sun's disc. Check local timings for your area and prepare your viewing method in advance.