Total solar eclipse to turn parts of Europe dark on 12 August

Skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere are preparing for one of the year’s most spectacular celestial events as the Moon moves directly between Earth and the Sun on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, producing a total solar eclipse visible from a narrow corridor stretching from the Arctic to southern Europe.

For observers inside the path of totality, the Moon will completely cover the Sun’s bright surface for a brief period, turning daytime skies dramatically darker and revealing the Sun’s normally hidden outer atmosphere, the corona. NASA says the eclipse will cross northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a small corner of Portugal.

The event is particularly significant for Europe. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999, although some European territories have experienced totality since then.

Why does the Sun disappear?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth and casts its shadow across the planet.

During totality, the Moon lines up closely enough with the Sun to completely conceal its bright disc from observers positioned within the Moon’s darkest shadow.

The result can be dramatic: daylight fades, the sky takes on a twilight-like appearance and the Sun’s corona becomes visible around the dark silhouette of the Moon.

The remarkable alignment is possible because the Sun is roughly 400 times wider than the Moon but also about 400 times farther from Earth, making the two objects appear surprisingly similar in size from our planet.

Where will totality be visible?

The Moon’s narrow shadow will sweep across northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic and parts of Spain, before reaching a small section of northeastern Portugal.

Spain will be one of the major European destinations for eclipse watchers, with totality crossing areas including parts of the north and east of the country and reaching the Balearic Islands.

Iceland will also experience totality, including Reykjavík, where the total phase is expected to last about one minute.

The eclipse will be much more widely visible as a partial solar eclipse, with most of Europe, northwestern Africa, Canada and parts of the United States among the areas that will see the Moon cover only part of the Sun.

NASA estimates that in many locations along the path, totality will last less than two minutes, although the maximum duration will be a little over two minutes.

Spain offers a dramatic sunset spectacle

For parts of Spain, the eclipse will occur with the Sun relatively low in the western sky, close to sunset.

NASA's timings show totality beginning around 8:28 p.m. in León, while Valencia will experience totality at roughly 8:32 p.m. local time.

That combination of a low Sun and a darkened sky could make the Spanish portion of the eclipse particularly striking—provided weather conditions cooperate.

The eclipse will also be scientifically valuable. NASA-funded researchers plan to study the Sun’s corona using a high-altitude aircraft, while scientific balloons will investigate how the temporary loss of sunlight affects Earth's atmosphere.

Why total eclipses remain rare for any one location

Solar eclipses themselves are not exceptionally unusual. What is rare is having the Moon’s narrow umbral shadow pass directly over a particular town or region.

The path of totality covers only a relatively small part of Earth during each eclipse, which means a location can wait decades—or much longer—for another opportunity.

Spain is about to enter an unusually busy period, however. Another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain on August 2, 2027, extending across parts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Never watch it without proper protection

The spectacular appearance of an eclipse does not make it safe to stare at the Sun.

During the partial phases, observers must use certified solar-viewing glasses or other appropriate solar filters. Ordinary sunglasses, regardless of how dark they appear, are not sufficient.

The only brief exception comes during totality itself, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright disc. Once any part of the Sun reappears, proper eye protection must immediately be put back on.

The same caution applies to cameras, binoculars and telescopes. Looking through optical equipment at the Sun without a specifically designed solar filter can cause severe eye injury and damage the equipment.

For millions of people across the Northern Hemisphere, August 12 will offer a rare chance to watch the Moon briefly transform daytime into something resembling night—but only those positioned within the narrow path of totality will experience the full spectacle.