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Annular solar eclipse

Annular solar eclipse, 26 January 2028

The Moon passes in front of the Sun. Inside a narrow path the eclipse is annular, leaving a ring of sunlight; a much wider area sees a partial eclipse.

DateWed, Jan 26, 2028
TypeAnnular
From LondonPartial, about 57%
Countdown479 days
Join the waitlistHow to watch safely

What you’ll see from London

Times for London, United Kingdom

From London the Moon covers about 57% of the Sun at maximum, at 16:48 local time, with the Sun low (0° up). To see the annular phase you need to be inside the narrow central path.

  1. 15:35Partial eclipse begins (Sun 7° up, low)
  2. 16:48Maximum, about 57% of the Sun covered (Sun below the horizon)
  3. 17:55Partial eclipse ends (Sun below the horizon)
  4. —The ring phase isn’t visible here

Where to see it

Greatest eclipse, where the central phase lasts longest, at about 3.0°N, 51.5°W.

Visible from 19 of SkyMate’s 39 cities (computed):

  • MadridSpainPartial, 82%
  • RomeItalyPartial, 82% · Sun low or setting
  • ParisFrancePartial, 66% · Sun low or setting
  • AmsterdamNetherlandsPartial, 59% · Sun low or setting
  • LondonUnited KingdomPartial, 57% · Sun low or setting
  • ManchesterUnited KingdomPartial, 50% · Sun low or setting
  • DublinIrelandPartial, 47%
  • EdinburghUnited KingdomPartial, 43% · Sun low or setting
  • LeithUnited KingdomPartial, 43% · Sun low or setting
  • GlasgowUnited KingdomPartial, 42% · Sun low or setting

How to watch safely

Never look at the Sun without certified solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard. Sunglasses, smoked glass and exposed film are not safe. Check the glasses for scratches or holes before you use them, and supervise children.

Never point binoculars, a telescope or a camera at the Sun unless a certified solar filter covers the front of the optics. Don’t use eclipse glasses to look through unfiltered optics: the concentrated sunlight will burn through them and into your eye.

A pinhole projector is a safe, simple alternative: let sunlight through a small hole in card onto a surface behind it and watch the projected crescent. Even at maximum, part of the Sun stays uncovered, so protection is needed for the whole eclipse.

Upcoming eclipses

Questions

Can I use sunglasses?
No. Sunglasses let through far too much light. Use eclipse glasses that meet ISO 12312-2, or project the Sun with a pinhole.
Can I photograph the eclipse with my phone?
Only with a certified solar filter over the lens for the partial phases. Never look at the Sun through a camera’s optical viewfinder without a proper filter.
What is the difference between total, annular and partial?
In a total eclipse the Moon covers the Sun completely. In an annular eclipse the Moon is too far from Earth to cover it, leaving a bright ring. Everywhere outside those narrow paths sees a partial eclipse.
Plan your eclipse day.SkyMate shows local contact times and a countdown for the place you choose.Join the waitlist

Eclipse times and circumstances computed by SkyMate with the open-source astronomy-engine library; for critical planning, cross-check with NASA/GSFC eclipse predictions (Espenak). Data & Licences

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