On Wednesday 12th August 2026, SARAS members will be setting up specially filtered solar telescopes at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough (Map) for observing the partial solar eclipse, come along if you’d like to see the eclipse (weather dependent of course)!
Solar Eclipse Details
Although not a Total Eclipse (we will not experience the eerie darkening of full totality) the sun will appear approximately 90% covered by the moon.
This will be the most coverage in a solar eclipse visible from the UK until the next Total Eclipse on 23 September 2090! The partial Eclipse starts at 18:12, solar maximum (most Sun covered by the Moon) at 19:08, and end at 20:02.
More details of the expected view of the eclipse from Oliver’s Mount can be viewed here: timeanddate.com.
SARAS will have a limited quantity of eclipse glasses available at the event (£1 per pair) but are also available from online retailers (Amazon, eBay etc).
Please be aware, if the weather forecast is for unfavourable viewing (overcast skies, rain, fog, etc) meaning viewing the eclipse will be impossible, SARAS will not proceed with the event and will not be present at Oliver’s Mount, any cancellation/updates will be provided on this website and social media.
How to Safely observe a Solar Eclipse
There are various safe methods of observing solar events however the cardinal rule is NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN unless through equipment specifically designed for solar observing, which can include eclipse glasses, a telescope equipped with a proper ‘white light’ solar filter (such as ones made by Baader), or a dedicated solar telescope/
An unfiltered telescope or binoculars, sunglasses, or welding glass are not designed for this purpose and should not be used.
Indirect viewing using projection is a cheap and effective way to observe solar eclipses, there are many guides online for how to make a solar projector or pinhole camera (‘camera obscura’), using readily available items such as a long cardboard tube or sheet of card, some white paper, sticky tape, and a piece of tin foil.
Here’s one such resource which demonstrates the principle really well: How to make a pinhole camera
