Total Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026: Everything You Need to Know
The next total solar eclipse will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, visible from Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. It will be a low, “sunset eclipse”: nowhere along the totality path will the Sun rise higher than about 26 degrees, and in Spain, totality will happen just a few degrees above the western horizon. This could create a spectacular view, with the corona glowing over distant landscapes — but only if your horizon is clear.
Clouds, hills, buildings, trees, or haze can easily block the eclipse, especially in Spain. Use the free Sky Tonight app to check the eclipse visibility for your location, track the Sun’s position in the sky, and find the best viewing spot with an unobstructed western horizon.
Contents
- August 12, 2026 solar eclipse: quick facts
- What time is the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026?
- Where will the 2026 total solar eclipse be visible?
- Best places to see the August 2026 total solar eclipse
- Weather: where are the best chances for clear skies?
- Will there be a partial eclipse in August 2026?
- Bonus sky events: planet parade and Perseid meteor shower
- How to watch the 2026 solar eclipse safely
- FAQ: August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse
- August 2026 Total Solar Eclipse: Bottom line
August 12, 2026 solar eclipse: quick facts
- Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
- Eclipse type: Total solar eclipse
- Maximum totality length: 2 minutes 18 seconds
- Greatest eclipse: 17:46 GMT
- Totality visible from: Arctic Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the northeastern tip of Portugal, northern Spain, Balearic Islands
- Partial eclipse visible from: Much of Europe, parts of North America, and other Northern Hemisphere regions
- Main viewing challenge: Weather in Greenland/Iceland; low Sun and horizon obstructions in Spain
What time is the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026?
- The eclipse begins as a partial eclipse at 15:34 GMT;
- Totality — the most spectacular part of the eclipse — begins at 16:58 GMT;
- The greatest eclipse occurs at 17:46 GMT;
- Totality ends at 18:34 GMT;
- The partial eclipse ends at 19:57 GMT.
Exact local times depend on your location, so travelers should check city-specific eclipse times before choosing a viewing site. The exact times of the eclipse for your location can be found in the free Sky Tonight app.
Where will the 2026 total solar eclipse be visible?
The path of totality begins at sunrise over remote Arctic Russia near the Taymyr Peninsula and the Laptev Sea, then sweeps across the Arctic Ocean, passing close to the North Pole. It then crosses Greenland and reaches western Iceland before continuing across the Atlantic and crossing northern Spain. The path ends near the Balearic Islands. This path covers approximately 8,300 kilometers (5,157 miles) and takes 96 minutes to travel across the planet’s surface.
The main land-based regions for eclipse travelers are Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Each offers a different viewing experience. Greenland has remote wilderness and potentially favorable weather conditions in Scoresby Sund; Iceland offers dramatic landscapes with the Sun relatively high in the sky; and Spain statistically has more hours of sunshine in August, but the Sun will be very low at sunset during the eclipse.
A tiny part of northeastern Portugal also lies inside the path of totality, but most of Portugal will see only a deep partial eclipse, so it is more of a technical edge case than a major travel destination.
Best places to see the August 2026 total solar eclipse
| Location | Totality duration | Time of maximum eclipse | Sun altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordvestfjord, Greenland | 2 min 16 sec | 4:32 p.m. EGST | 24.8° |
| Ella Island, Greenland | 1 min 45 sec | 4:31 p.m. EGST | 23.7° |
| Saxhóll Crater, Iceland | 2 min 8 sec | 5:45 p.m. GMT | 25.4° |
| Reykjavík, Iceland | 1 min | 5:48 p.m. GMT | 24.6° |
| Geirfuglinn, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland | 1 min 41 sec | 5:48 p.m. GMT | 25° |
| Mirador del Sablón, Asturias, Spain | 1 min 48 sec | 8:26 p.m. CEST | 10.7° |
| Becerril de Campos, Spain | 1 min 42 sec | 8:29 p.m. CEST | 8.9° |
| Castillo de Osma, Spain | 1 min 43 sec | 8:29 p.m. CEST | 7.5° |
| Segovia, Spain | 59 sec | 8:31 p.m. CEST | 7.9° |
| S’Arenal, Mallorca, Spain | 1 min 36 sec | 8:31 p.m. CEST | 2.4° |
Times are local. Exact timing, duration, and Sun altitude vary by precise viewing spot, so check your chosen location in Sky Tonight before traveling.
Greenland: remote, dramatic, and best for expedition travel
Greenland offers some of the most spectacular eclipse scenery, but it’s not an easy destination. The best sites are remote fjords, so most travelers will need to join an expedition cruise. For weather, the inner parts of Scoresby Sund look more promising than the coast, but eclipse-day forecasts will still be crucial.
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Nordvestfjord, Scoresby Sund — 2 minutes 16 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 4:32 p.m. EGST. This is one of the strongest Greenland options because it lies close to the centerline in the vast Scoresby Sund fjord system, but it will realistically require an expedition cruise.
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Ella Island, King Oscar Fjord — 1 minute 45 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 4:31 p.m. EGST. This is another Arctic option, located at the meeting point of several iceberg-filled fjords, but it is also accessible only by polar expedition cruise.
Iceland: beautiful landscapes, but cloud risk
Iceland will be one of the most popular destinations for the 2026 total solar eclipse. Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, lies within the path of totality, with about 1 minute of totality, and the Sun stays relatively high (roughly 25 degrees) above the western horizon, which is much more comfortable than the low-sunset view in Spain.
The main downside is the weather. Iceland is cloudy and frequently affected by North Atlantic weather systems, although local geography can create clearer areas on the leeward side of peninsulas. A flexible plan and the ability to move on eclipse day will be important.
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Saxhóll Crater, Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 2 minutes 8 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 5:45 p.m. GMT. This is one of the best Iceland options for duration, located near the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula inside Snæfellsjökull National Park.
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Geirfuglinn / The Great Auk, Reykjanes Peninsula — 1 minute 41 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 5:48 p.m. GMT. This spot near Reykjanes Lighthouse is a scenic coastal option and one of the last places in Iceland to experience totality.
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Reykjavík Domestic Airport / Reykjavík coastline — 1 minute of totality. Totality begins at about 5:48 p.m. GMT. The airport is just 2 km from the city center and has the southwest-facing coastline, perfect for watching the “sunset eclipse”.
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Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík — 57 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 5:48 p.m. GMT. The church area offers a recognizable city landmark, though the totality is short, and access to the tower may be limited.
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Mount Helgafell, Hafnarfjörður / Reykjanes Peninsula — 55 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 5:48 p.m. GMT. This volcanic hill offers wide views over Reykjavík, Faxaflói Bay, and the Reykjanes Peninsula, but it requires a hike.
Spain: best overall weather, but a low Sun
Spain is likely to be one of the most accessible places to view the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, offering the best balance of convenience for European travelers and clear-sky potential. The main issue in Spain is the altitude of the Sun. During totality, the Sun will be low above the western horizon throughout Spain, ranging from approximately 10° on the northern coast to a few degrees in the Balearic Islands. Therefore, choose a site with a clear west or west-northwest horizon and scout the location in advance at the same time of day.
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Mirador del Sablón, Asturias — 1 minute 48 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:26 p.m. CEST. This coastal viewpoint near Cudillero offers a dramatic view over the Cantabrian Sea, with the eclipsed Sun about 10° above the west-northwest horizon.
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Muriel Viejo, Soria — 1 minute 44 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:29 p.m. CEST. A strong inland option with high ground and open views; the Sun will be about 7° above the west-northwest horizon.
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Castillo de Osma, Soria — 1 minute 43 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:29 p.m. CEST. This hilltop castle setting offers wide views over the Castilian landscape, with the Sun about 7° high.
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Becerril de Campos, Castile and León — 1 minute 42 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:29 p.m. CEST. The surrounding flat plains make this a practical choice for finding an open western horizon; the Sun will be about 9° high.
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Calatañazor, Soria — 1 minute 43 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:29 p.m. CEST. A scenic medieval village close to the centerline, with the eclipsed Sun about 7° above the horizon.
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Laguna de Gallocanta, Aragon — 1 minute 42 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:30 p.m. CEST. This wide, flat salt-lake landscape is almost on the centerline and offers open sightlines; the Sun will be about 6° high.
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S’Arenal, Mallorca — 1 minute 36 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:31 p.m. CEST. This is one of the most practical Balearic options, with a sea-level view toward the west-northwest, but the Sun will be only 2° above the horizon, so even small obstructions or haze could be a problem.
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Arcos de las Salinas, Teruel — 1 minute 23 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:31 p.m. CEST. It is a good option for those interested in astronomy, thanks to the Galactic Astronomy Center located in the village. However, the eclipsed Sun will sit low, at about 5° above the horizon.
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Segovia / Zamarramala, Castile and León — 59 seconds of totality. Totality begins at about 8:31 p.m. CEST. Segovia offers an iconic backdrop, while nearby Zamarramala may be better for open sightlines; the Sun will be about 8° high.
Weather: where are the best chances for clear skies?
| Region | Average August cloud coverage | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Ebro Valley, Spain | Below 30% in the clearest central areas | Best overall option |
| Central Meseta, Spain | Around 35% near the central line | Very good inland option |
| Balearic Islands, Spain | 30% to 40% across the islands | Good weather, risky horizon |
| Scoresby Sund, Greenland | 45–50% in the inner fjords; about 65% near Ittoqqortoormiit | Best Greenland option |
| Iceland | Around 70–80% average cloud cover | Scenic but risky |
| Northern Spain coast | Close to 60% | Less reliable |
Note: These numbers are climatological averages, not an eclipse-day forecast. For Spain, the overhead sky can look clear while the low Sun is still blocked by distant cloud, smoke, dust, terrain, or a tree line. Check high-resolution forecasts and satellite imagery close to the event, and be ready to move if conditions change.
Will there be a partial eclipse in August 2026?
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, as well as parts of North America, Greenland, and North Africa. Some cities outside the path of totality will still see a very deep partial eclipse, but only locations inside the narrow path of totality will see the Sun completely covered.
| Location | Sun coverage | Eclipse starts | Maximum eclipse | Eclipse ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, USA | 9% | 1:07 p.m. EDT | 1:54 p.m. EDT | 2:38 p.m. EDT |
| St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada | 53% | 2:28 p.m. NDT | 3:34 p.m. NDT | 4:37 p.m. NDT |
| Nuuk, Greenland | 79% | 3:30 p.m. WGST | 4:35 p.m. WGST | 5:39 p.m. WGST |
| Oslo, Norway | 83% | 7:02 p.m. CEST | 7:57 p.m. CEST | 8:49 p.m. CEST |
| Berlin, Germany | 84% | 7:15 p.m. CEST | 8:08 p.m. CEST | 8:38 p.m. CEST |
| London, U.K. | 91% | 6:17 p.m. BST | 7:13 p.m. BST | 8:06 p.m. BST |
| Paris, France | 92% | 7:22 p.m. CEST | 8:17 p.m. CEST | 9:11 p.m. CEST |
| Tangier, Morocco | 92% | 6:44 p.m. WEST | 7:40 p.m. WEST | 8:16 p.m. WEST |
| Dublin, Ireland | 94% | 6:12 p.m. IST | 7:10 p.m. IST | 8:05 p.m. IST |
| Lisbon, Portugal | 94% | 6:39 p.m. WEST | 7:36 p.m. WEST | 8:29 p.m. WEST |
| Nice, France | 95% | 7:30 p.m. CEST | 8:24 p.m. CEST | 8:39 p.m. CEST |
| Madrid, Spain | 99.98% | 7:36 p.m. CEST | 8:32 p.m. CEST | 9:16 p.m. CEST |
| Barcelona, Spain | 99.85% | 7:35 p.m. CEST | 8:29 p.m. CEST | 8:54 p.m. CEST |
A partial eclipse is still worth watching, but it is not the same experience as totality. Even 99% coverage is still a partial eclipse: only locations inside the narrow path of totality will see the Sun’s corona appear around the Moon.
Bonus sky events: planet parade and Perseid meteor shower
The total solar eclipse won’t be the only sky event on August 12, 2026. The day begins with a six-planet parade before sunrise and ends with one of the best meteor showers of the year: the Perseids.
Before dawn, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune will stretch across the sky in a long line from the east toward the southwest. Saturn and Neptune rise first, around midnight, followed later by Uranus and Mars. Shortly before sunrise, Jupiter and Mercury appear near the eastern horizon, completing the lineup. Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Saturn should be visible to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a small telescope.
After the eclipse, the night brings the Perseid meteor shower. In 2026, viewing conditions are excellent: the New Moon falls on August 12, so moonlight won’t wash out the meteors. The Perseids are active for several weeks, but the best viewing comes around August 12–13, especially from late night until dawn, when the radiant in Perseus climbs higher in the sky.
Under a dark, moonless sky, observers can often see around 80 meteors per hour or more near the peak. Many Perseid meteors are bright, colorful, and leave long-lasting trails, which makes this meteor stream one of the most popular annual sky events in the Northern Hemisphere. For the best view, get away from city lights, and let your eyes adapt to the dark.
How to watch the 2026 solar eclipse safely
Never look directly at the Sun during the partial phases of a solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Use eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard, and buy them directly from trusted manufacturers or authorized dealers. The American Astronomical Society warns that buying random eclipse glasses from online marketplaces or unverified sellers is not worth the risk to your eyes.
If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can use indirect viewing methods like a pinhole projector — a simple device made by poking a hole in a piece of cardboard to project the Sun’s image onto a flat surface. You can also observe tree shadows, as small gaps between their leaves will naturally project crescent-shaped eclipse patterns on the ground.
Do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, binoculars, telescope, or other optical device — even if you are wearing eclipse glasses. Magnifying optics need a proper solar filter mounted securely over the front of the lens.
FAQ: August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse
When is the next total solar eclipse?
The next total solar eclipse is on August 12, 2026. Totality will be visible from parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and the Balearic Islands. The next total solar eclipse after this one will take place on August 2, 2027, and will be visible in southern Spain, North Africa (including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt), Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Learn more: Check the upcoming eclipses schedule and learn where each eclipse will be visible.
How long will the 2026 total solar eclipse last?
The maximum duration of totality will be about 2 minutes and 18 seconds, near the Denmark Strait — a channel partially within the Arctic Circle, lying between Greenland and Iceland. The duration will be shorter in many densely populated viewing locations, such as Reykjavík, northern Spain, and the Balearic Islands.
Is Spain a good place to see the 2026 total solar eclipse?
Yes, Spain is one of the most practical places to see the eclipse because it has relatively favorable August weather and many accessible viewing locations. However, the Sun will be very low in the sky, so you must choose a site with a clear western horizon.
Is Iceland a good place to see the 2026 eclipse?
Iceland is a spectacular option, especially around Reykjavík, Reykjanes, and Snæfellsnes. The Sun will be higher there than in Spain. However, there is a risk of clouds, so flexibility and weather monitoring are essential.
Can I see the eclipse from London, Paris, or Berlin?
Yes, but it will only be a partial eclipse. There will be 91% solar coverage in London, 92% in Paris, and 84% in Berlin. To see a total eclipse, you must travel to the path of totality.
Do I need eclipse glasses?
Yes. You need certified solar-viewing glasses or filters for viewing a solar eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for looking at the Sun. Use proper solar viewers from reputable manufacturers or authorized sellers.
Learn more: How to watch a solar eclipse safely
August 2026 Total Solar Eclipse: Bottom line
The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, will be one of the most memorable astronomical events of the decade. While Greenland and Iceland offer dramatic Arctic scenery, Spain provides the best mix of accessibility and clear-sky chances, though it also presents the biggest horizon challenge. Since the sun will be low in the sky everywhere along the path, especially in Spain, it is just as important to choose a spot with a clear western horizon as it is to be inside the path of totality.
Use the Sky Tonight app to check whether the eclipse is visible from your location, see the exact timing of totality, track the Sun’s position in the sky, and plan the best viewing spot in advance. And don’t stop observing after the eclipse: with a planet parade before sunrise and the Perseid meteor shower after dark, August 12, 2026, is a full-day skywatching event.
