Wednesday, August 12, 2026 · Evening over Europe
Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999
The Moon will completely cover the Sun over Iceland and northern Spain, turning evening into night for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds — while nearly all of Europe watches a deep partial eclipse at sunset.
2 min 18 s
Maximum length of totality — the Moon is near its closest point to Earth
~20:30
Local time of totality in Spain (CEST) — a rare “sunset eclipse”
27 years
Since mainland Europe last saw totality (August 11, 1999)
The path of totality
The Moon’s shadow first touches down in the Russian Arctic, sweeps across easternGreenland, crosses western Iceland — including Reykjavík — then races over the Atlantic to make landfall in northernSpain, from Galicia to Valencia and the Balearic Islands, before the Sun sets.
Outside this roughly 290 km-wide band, the eclipse is partial: the closer you are to the path, the deeper the “bite” taken out of the Sun.
Detailed map & city timings →
Where will you be on August 12?
What you’ll see — and exactly when — depends on where you stand.
A rare sunset eclipse
This is the one thing to plan around: in Spain, totality happens with the Sun only5 to 12 degrees above the horizon. A building, a hill or a bank of haze to your west can hide the whole show.
- Scout a spot with a completely clear view to the west — a west-facing beach, a ridge, a rooftop.
- Arrive early: the partial phase starts about an hour before totality.
- The reward: a totally eclipsed Sun above the sunset colors, and a diamond-ring flash right over the horizon — photographs like nothing else this century.
Look up — safely
Eclipse glasses, always
Certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are mandatory for every partial phase, everywhere in Europe. Sunglasses — even stacked — are never safe.
Optics need solar filters
Never point binoculars, a camera or a telescope at the Sun without a dedicated solar filter on thefront of the instrument. Smart telescopes with certified solar filters (such as Unistellar’s Smart Solar Filter) track the Sun safely without you ever looking through an eyepiece.
Totality is the exception
Only inside the path, and only while the Sun is 100% covered, can you look with naked eyes. The instant a sliver of Sun returns, protection goes back on.
Turn your observation into science
Eclipses aren’t just beautiful — they’re data. The Unistellar Network, a worldwide community of citizen astronomers partnered with the SETI Institute, contributed more than 15,000 scientific observations in 2025, from exoplanet transits to asteroid occultations — and the Sun’s corona during an eclipse is a live laboratory.
Discover citizen astronomy →Frequently asked questions
›Do I need eclipse glasses if I’m not in the path of totality?
Yes — always. Anywhere the eclipse is partial (all of France, Germany, the UK…), some of the Sun’s surface stays visible the whole time, and looking at it without ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses can permanently damage your eyes. Only people inside the path of totality may look with naked eyes, and only during the brief minutes of totality.
›When exactly does the eclipse happen?
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in the evening for Europe. Totality crosses Iceland around 17:48 local time and northern Spain between roughly 20:27 and 20:33 CEST, shortly before sunset. The partial phases start about an hour earlier.
›I’ll be in Madrid or Barcelona — will I see totality?
No — and this catches many people out. Madrid reaches 99.9% and Barcelona 99.8% coverage, but even 0.1% of Sun keeps daylight and hides the corona: it is a completely different experience from totality. Madrid sits just south of the path — about an hour’s drive north puts you inside it. From Barcelona, head towards Zaragoza or the coast north of Valencia.
›Where is the best place to see totality?
Northern Spain offers the best weather statistics in August and easy access — with the Sun very low, you need a clear view of the western horizon (a west-facing coast, a hilltop, or high ground). Iceland sees totality higher in the sky with famously unpredictable weather. Greenland is for expedition travelers.
›What happens if it’s cloudy?
The sky still turns dramatically dark during totality — an experience in itself. Mobile observers in Spain can chase gaps in the clouds: forecasts a few hours ahead are usually reliable enough to reposition along the path.
›Can I photograph the eclipse with my smartphone?
Yes, with care: cover the lens with a certified solar filter for all partial phases (and your eyes too). During totality only, remove the filter. Wide shots capturing the darkened landscape often turn out better than zoomed shots of the Sun itself.
›When is the next total solar eclipse after this one?
Soon! On August 2, 2027, another total eclipse will cross southern Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, with a much longer totality (over 6 minutes near Luxor, Egypt).
Don’t miss it — add August 12, 2026 to your calendar.