Free glasses for observing the solar eclipse can now be reserved

Free glasses for observing the total solar eclipse on 12 August can be reserved from 5 August, announced the Ciência Viva agency, warning that recording the astronomical phenomenon damages devices such as cell phones.

A solar eclipse will be visible across the UK next week, and we’ve found some of the best specialist glasses to buy so you can safely watch the astronomical event as it happens

Only a specific certified filter lets just 0.00032% of visible sunlight through, protecting viewers of this once‑in‑a‑century event from lasting retinal damage.