Partial Solar Eclipse - 12 August 2026

General Information

Witness a Rare Solar Eclipse

This partial solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in perfect alignment in space. A portion of the Sun's disc will be covered by the Moon between 18:18 and 20:07.

The maximum coverage will be seen at 19:14, when about 90% of the Sun will disappear behind the Moon. This will be visible from Rainham, and we'll get an excellent view from Ryetop Park.

The eclipse will begin at 18:18 and ends as the sun sets at 20:07. The maximum effect will be seen at 19:14.

Arrive at 19:00 to see the eclipse at its best, or join us all evening for the whole event.

• Observe the best astronomical event of the year.
• Feel the connection between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
• See the Sun like you've never seen it before.
• Learn some science and have fun!

View the Eclipse Safely

Our astronomy club will have a few ways for you to safely view the partial solar eclipse:

• View the eclipse with special eclipse glasses.
• Project an image of the Sun with a pinhole camera.
• See the Sun through a powerful telescope.
• Take a photo of the Sun during the partial eclipse.

We'll have special equipment set up so you can view the Sun safely. Don't attempt to try this yourself unless you have the correct solar filters and are 100% sure you know what you're doing.

Eclipse Glasses

We'll have eclipse glasses you can borrow so that you can watch the eclipse safely.

Eclipse glasses will be on sale for £3.00 per pair. Cash only please.

Eclipse glasses are not only for eclipses; they can be used to observe the Sun on any day of the year. Use them to view sunrises, sunsets, and sunspots.

More About the 2026 Eclipse

These websites have more information about the partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026:

• Time And Date - 12 August 2026 - Solar Eclipse - Kent, UK
  Detailed timings, coverage, and animations.
• BBC Sky at Night Magazine - Solar Eclipse August 2026
  How to see this summer's biggest celestial event from Europe and the UK.
  (See if you can spot our photo of the March 2025 solar eclipse)

The Weather

We need the sky to be clear in the west after 18:00. We're hoping for a sunny evening without a cloud in the sky. Unfortunately, the event will not go ahead if there's cloud or rain.

A go/no-go decision will be made at 17:00 on the day of the eclipse and published here.

Please check back for updates before you set out.

Information for Parents

Children are welcome but will need to be closely supervised at all times during the eclipse.

We have set the recommended minimum age at 8 years old. Young children must understand the dangers of looking at the Sun and be able to follow the safety instructions when using eclipse glasses and other solar viewing devices.

Before using eclipse glasses, children will see a short demonstration on how to use them safely.

Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or responsible adult.

Visiting Us

How to Find Us

Meet us in Ryetop Park, Rainham, also known as Norreys Park.

Address: Ryetop Playing Fields, Taverners Road, Rainham, ME8 9AQ

Map Links: Google Maps | Apple Maps | Bing Maps | OpenStreetMap

Parking Information

• Limited street parking is available nearby.
• Please avoid parking in Beacon Close – the road is narrow, and parking is restricted (double-yellow lines) near the park entrance.

Thank you for helping us keep the area safe and accessible for everyone.

Safety Information

Viewing the Sun can be very dangerous. NEVER look at the Sun without special eye protection.

Looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse or at any other time can cause permanent eye damage.

Eclipse Glasses

Only use eclipse glasses from a reputable manufacturer and supplier.

Our astronomy group has US-made eclipse glasses available for you to borrow so that you can view the eclipse safely. We'll have eclipse glasses for sale for £3.00 per pair.

• Read the safety information before using them for the first time.
• Retain the safety information for future reference.
• Never allow young children to use eclipse glasses by themselves.

The American Astronomical Association says, "We do not recommend searching for eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu, or any other online marketplace and buying from whichever vendor offers the lowest price."

We would echo that advice. In particular, we urge you NOT to purchase Chinese-made products due to the high volume of counterfeit eclipse glasses on the market. It's impossible to know if these products are safe to use to view the Sun.

Safety Advice Online

• American Astronomical Society - How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely
  https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety
• Time And Date - Eclipse Safety Tips
  https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/eclipse-tips-safety.html
• NASA - Eclipse Eye Safety
  https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/

Questions & Feedback

We're happy to answer any questions you have about this event or our astronomy club.

Email us at [email protected]

Online Resources

Learn more about eclipses!

For Children

We found these websites and fun activities to get youngsters excited about eclipses and space science in general:

• NASA Space Place - Explore Earth and Space!
  https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en/
• NASA - Make a Pinhole Projector
  https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12638

For Astronomy Students

Here are some websites with more indepth technical information for anyone who wants to take their astronomy knowledge to the next level:

• NASA: Solar Physics Group
  https://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/
• NASA: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) - Imaging the Sun
  https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/
• The National Solar Observatory (NSO)
  https://nso.edu/
• Solar Monitor - Up-to-update IMages of the Sun
  https://solarmonitor.org/
• Met Office - Space Weather & Auroras
  https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/space-weather

Contact Details

This is a free event organised by TRAC Operations Ltd for the benefit of the local community.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07999 356 890