A narrow lunar shadow will sweep across Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain on 12 August. Expect only minutes of totality and precise timing for observers.
A total solar eclipse will occur this summer: on August 12, 2026, it will be the first event of this scale in more than two years.
A total solar eclipse will occur when the Moon lies between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the planet’s surface and completely blocking the Sun’s light in certain regions.
Observers will be able to see the total phase along the path in Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and northeastern Portugal, as the sky briefly goes dark and the Sun disappears from view.
Meanwhile, a partial eclipse will be visible in other parts of Europe, Africa, and North America.
According to ESA, the total eclipse was visible in Mexico, the United States, and Canada in April 2024; the last one on the European mainland was recorded in 2006.
This event will be the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905, and will be the first of three eclipses planned through 2028, according to ESA.
A total solar eclipse is that rare moment when millions of people can look up at the sky together and feel awe and curiosity at the same time.
– Carole Mundell
This shared moment connects us with the Universe and reminds us that the drive to explore and understand is one of humanity’s strongest forces.
– Carole Mundell
Where and how to observe
The characteristic path of the total eclipse will stretch about 8,300 km (5,157 miles). It will begin near the Arctic coast around 1:00 PM Eastern Time and pass through Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, and northern Spain.
In Greenland, the duration of totality will exceed two minutes, while in northern Spain it will be about 20 seconds under favorable weather conditions.
The eclipse will pass through Galicia, followed by the Balearic Islands at sunset, speeding the transition from day to night, according to the Three-Eclipse Committee of Spain.
To learn the exact time and appearance of the phenomenon in your region, check the Time and Date website.
For those not within the path of totality, ESA will provide a live broadcast from the Javalambre Observatory in Teruel (Spain).
Upcoming eclipses
The next total solar eclipse will pass over southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen on August 2, 2027, according to NASA.
The United States will not see another total eclipse until March 30, 2033; then it will only be visible from Alaska. By August 22, 2044, a total eclipse will appear over the continental United States, crossing North Dakota and Montana. The next coast-to-coast eclipse is expected on August 12, 2045, with a path through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida; other states will see only a partial eclipse.
Safety and scientific significance
Never look directly at the Sun without proper protection – except during the moment of totality, when the Sun is completely covered by the Moon.
After the first appearance of light, wear certified eclipse glasses or use a proper solar viewer; do not use torn or worn-out glasses.
Do not look at the Sun through any optical device – camera, telescope, or binoculars – at the same time as eclipse glasses.
Solar eclipses provide scientists with unique opportunities to study the Sun and its corona and invite citizens to participate in science as observers.
During the August eclipse, scientists plan to launch high-altitude balloons to record the phenomenon and the Moon’s shadow. The goal is to recreate the 1919 experiment measuring the bending of starlight by the Sun’s gravity and to confirm Einstein’s theory of relativity, according to ESA.
Citizen observers are urged to assemble their own instruments to measure changes in the atmosphere during the darkness of the night sky.
“We will use events like these to bring space science and technology closer to society, inspire future generations, and unite people across Europe through the excitement of discoveries.”
– Carole Mundell
ESA provides more information on this topic.