Barnet residents warned over unsafe eclipse glasses ahead of 96% solar eclipse

Residents in Barnet will have the chance to witness a near-total solar eclipse on 12 August, with the moon covering up to 96% of the sun. The event, the most significant in the UK since 1999, will begin shortly after 6pm and reach its peak after 7pm. However, health officials are urging caution as demand for certified eclipse glasses has left stocks depleted across the country.

The Royal Museums Greenwich, recommended by the UK Health Security Agency as a trusted retailer, confirmed it has sold out of eclipse glasses. A spokesperson told the BBC the volume of orders was "unprecedented". Similar shortages have been reported at retailers across London, including a central London bakery where staff said they sold 100 pairs in a single morning.

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Eye damage risk without proper protection

The UK Health Security Agency has warned that only glasses marked with the international safety standard ISO 12312-2 should be used. Even a small scratch or tear in the lenses can allow harmful sunlight to reach the retina, causing permanent damage. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported that around 70 people suffered vision problems after the 1999 eclipse, with nearly half of those affected looking at the sun for less than a minute.

Mohamed Elalfy, president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, explained that the retina has no pain receptors. "People will not feel the damage as it happens," he said, as reported by the BBC. The college has emphasised that ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not provide adequate protection.

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They block out so much light that you can't see anything through them except the Sun.

Imo Bell, planetarium astronomer at The Royal Observatory Greenwich

Safe alternatives to eclipse glasses

With certified glasses unavailable, residents are being encouraged to use indirect viewing methods. A pinhole projector can be made at home using two sheets of paper. Punch a small hole in one sheet and hold it above the second sheet to project the sun’s image. A colander or even the gaps between tree leaves can also serve as natural projectors, casting the eclipse’s shadow onto the ground.

Barnet Council has shared guidance on its website, advising residents to avoid looking directly at the sun. The council’s public health team said, "While this eclipse is a rare event, safety must come first. We urge everyone to follow the advice from health officials and use indirect methods to view it."

What happens next

The eclipse will begin in Barnet at approximately 6:05pm on 12 August, reaching its maximum coverage of 96% by 7:10pm. Residents planning to observe the event are advised to prepare indirect viewing methods in advance. The next comparable eclipse visible in the UK will not occur until 2090, according to astronomers at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.