The Met Office has been forced to apologise after it shared an incorrect map on X today (August 8).
Sharing a prediction of the Sun’s coverage across the UK for the upcoming partial solar eclipse on August 12, the map shows Lough Neagh in the wrong place.
The lake in Northern Ireland is included in the map but is not correctly positioned.
On X, the Met Office apologised and joked that it needs to hire a new graphic designer.
The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August.
The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country.
Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it. pic.twitter.com/lRfh8fq5uq— Met Office (@metoffice) August 8, 2026
It said: "Apologies for Lough Neagh being in the wrong place, a mistake when editing the map.
"In other news, we may have a vacancy for a new graphic designer coming up soon."
What is the partial solar eclipse and when will we see it in the UK?
The Moon will move between the Sun and the Earth on Wednesday, August 12, creating a partial solar eclipse where between 90 and 96% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon for viewers in the UK.
Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) explains that "this will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 solar eclipse, which was total from most of Cornwall and Devon."
RMG explained what you can expect from the Sun and the Moon on August 12, including the timings (based on activity in London).
It says on its website: "The new Moon and the Sun will gradually move closer together in the sky in the late afternoon.
"As the side facing us will be dark, the Moon will be invisible without specialist equipment.
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"At 6.17pm from London (timings vary slightly from other parts of the UK and Ireland), ‘first contact’ will occur, when the Moon first covers part of the disk of the Sun.
"The Moon will move slowly in front of the Sun until roughly 90% of the Sun is covered (the eclipse’s maximum). This will be at 7.12pm from London.
"At the maximum, enough of the Sun will be covered to make a noticeable difference in the temperature and light levels.
"However, unlike with a total eclipse, the sky will not become dark – it will feel more like a cloudy day or close to dusk or dawn.
"After the maximum, the Moon will then slowly move off the Sun’s disk until the eclipse ends, at 8.06pm from London.
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"The partial solar eclipse will take place as the Sun is setting, and the Sun and Moon will become increasingly low on the horizon as the eclipse goes on.
"Getting to a high point with a clear view of the western horizon will allow you to see the whole event."
RMG warns skygazers to be aware that the weather could obscure some or all of the view of the solar eclipse.
The Met Office warned people not to look at the Sun directly and instead "use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it."
Will you be watching the partial solar eclipse on August 12? Tell us where you’ll be watching it from in the comments below.
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