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Here’s when you’ll be able to see the solar eclipse in Sheffield – and the best places to view it
Sheffield will see a deep partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, when the Moon will obscure most of the Sun in the early evening. The article highlights when to look and suggests suitable viewing locations, as an unobstructed western horizon will be important with the Sun low in the sky.
The eclipse is expected to be visible from roughly 6.13pm to 8.04pm, with maximum coverage at about 7.06pm; around 85–90% of the Sun may be covered, depending on the calculation used. Clear skies and elevated, open sites away from buildings and trees should provide the best view, and viewers need certified solar-eclipse glasses rather than looking directly at the Sun.
In short
- Sheffield will see a major partial eclipse on 12 August 2026.
- Maximum eclipse is expected around 7.06pm.
- Choose an open western view and use certified eclipse glasses.
Explained simply
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun from view. In a partial eclipse, the three bodies do not line up exactly, so the Moon covers only part of the Sun.
How much of the eclipse people see depends on where they are on Earth. The Sun will be low in the western sky in Sheffield that evening, so an open view towards the west will help; clouds or nearby buildings and trees may obscure it.
Looking directly at the Sun can damage your eyes, even when much of it is covered. Special glasses made for viewing solar eclipses are needed; ordinary sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.