A total solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, crossing a narrow path of totality that includes parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal, according to NASA. Observers standing inside the path of the Moon’s central shadow will see the bright face of the Sun completely obscured by the Moon, revealing the solar corona.
Total Solar Eclipse Set for August 12, 2026
Viewers located outside the narrow path of totality will have the opportunity to experience a partial solar eclipse, where the Moon appears to take a bite out of the Sun and slightly dims its light. Regions with partial visibility include parts of the United States ranging from Alaska to North Carolina, most of Canada, much of Europe, northwestern Africa, and northern Russia.
In Spain, where the eclipse crosses from west to east, cities such as León, Valencia, and Zaragoza will experience totality just before sunset, creating the sight of an eclipsed Sun lingering low on the western horizon. Most locations inside the path of totality will experience less than two minutes of total darkness, with maximum durations staying under two and a half minutes.
Global Broadcasts and Scientific Expeditions
Space agencies and research institutions are preparing extensive coverage and scientific campaigns for the celestial event. NASA scheduled its eclipse broadcast to begin at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 12, with totality slated to begin in Iceland at 1:45 p.m. and in Spain at 2:28 p.m. Eastern Time. NASA-funded science teams will use a WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft to chase the Moon’s shadow to investigate the dynamics of the Sun’s corona. Additionally, the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project is sending students from several U.S. universities to Iceland and Spain to launch scientific balloons before, during, and after the eclipse to study atmospheric effects.
The European Space Agency will host a live broadcast from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre in Teruel, Spain. The broadcast will feature Director of Science Professor Carole Mundell alongside ESA scientists Andy To, Miho Janvier, Martin Hewitson, and observatory director Javier Cenarro. The program will highlight 1 minute and 21 seconds of totality as it plunges Javalambre into darkness at 20:31 CEST, concluding around 20:45 CEST. The observatory’s telescope feeds will provide continuous views of the eclipse phases, supplemented by live observations from two additional locations within the path of totality.
Confluence of Astronomical Events in August 2026
The August 12 solar eclipse coincides with other notable astronomical occurrences during the month. According to NASA, a New Moon arrives on Aug. 12, creating ideally dark skies for the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, which spans the night of Aug. 12 into the early morning hours of Aug. 13. The Perseids occur annually as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. Later in the month, between Aug. 14 and Aug. 16, Venus will reach its greatest eastern elongation, shining low in the west after sunset. Furthermore, a partial lunar eclipse will take place on the night of Aug. 27 into Aug. 28, visible across much of North and South America, Europe, and Africa, with roughly 93% of the Moon’s diameter entering Earth’s dark umbral shadow.
Safety Guidelines for Viewing the Eclipse
Skywatchers wanting to view the solar eclipse are repeatedly advised to use proper safety equipment. According to NASA, observers must use certified eclipse glasses or safe solar viewers whenever any part of the Sun remains visible. Regular sunglasses do not provide safe protection. Furthermore, individuals must never look at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, or cameras without an approved solar filter attached to the front of the optics, as unprotected viewing can result in severe eye damage or equipment failure.
