A solar eclipse on Friday 20 March will cover up to 98% of the Sun as seen from the UK. Dr Simon Foster explains how to view the phenomenon safely.

In London, the Moon will cover 85% of the Sun, peaking at 9.30 am. Parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland will see 98% coverage. The only places where you can see the total eclipse from land are the Faroe Islands and Svalbard (islands off the northern coast of Norway).

The next eclipse of a similar magnitude across the UK will occur in August 2026, but the next total eclipse visible from the UK won’t occur until 2090.

It is not safe to look directly at the eclipse with the naked eye.

In the video (above), Dr Simon Foster, from Imperial College London’s Department of Physics, explains how solar eclipses happen and what you can use to view the event safely.