Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Total Solar Eclipse August 2026: India Out, Greenland, Spain In
A total solar eclipse is happening on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when the Moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun.
It blocks the Sun's light and turns daytime into darkness for a short time.
The path where the Sun is fully hidden includes the Arctic, northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a small part of Portugal.
It is the first total solar eclipse visible in mainland Europe since 1999.
People in many other parts of Europe, North America and northwestern Africa will see a partial eclipse.
In Spain, the fully eclipsed Sun will appear low near the horizon just before sunset.
The eclipse runs from about 3:34 PM to 7:58 PM in world time (UTC).
In India, it happens at night, so people there cannot see it, and the special eclipse rules in Hindu tradition, called Sutak Kaal, will not apply.
People can watch it online through livestreams from NASA and other observatories, and anyone viewing the Sun directly must use special solar glasses.
A total solar eclipse occurs on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth.
The path of totality crosses the Arctic, northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small part of Portugal.
It is the first total solar eclipse visible in mainland Europe since 1999, with maximum totality lasting up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
The eclipse runs from about 3:34 PM to 7:58 PM UTC, peaking at 5:46 PM UTC; in Spain, totality occurs shortly before sunset.
The eclipse will not be visible in India, so the traditional Sutak Kaal will not apply; NASA and other observatories will broadcast livestreams.
- Who
- Skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere; NASA and other space observatories broadcasting livestreams of the event.
- What
- A total solar eclipse (Surya Grahan) in which the Moon completely blocks the Sun, briefly revealing the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona.
- When
- Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from about 3:34 PM to 7:58 PM UTC, peaking at 5:46 PM UTC; on the night of August 12-13 in India (IST).
- Where
- Path of totality across the Arctic, northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small part of Portugal; partial eclipse across parts of Europe, Canada, the northern United States, northwestern Africa and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
- Why
- The Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a band of darkness over locations within the path of totality.
- Event
- Total Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan)
- Date
- Wednesday, August 12, 2026
- Global Timings
- 3:34 PM - 7:58 PM UTC (peak at 5:46 PM UTC)
- Indian Timings
- 9:04 PM (Aug 12) - 1:28 AM (Aug 13) IST
- Maximum Totality Duration
- Up to 2 minutes 18 seconds
- Path of Totality
- Arctic, northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, Spain, small part of Portugal
- Visibility in India
- Not visible; Sutak Kaal will not apply
- Next Eclipses for India
- Partial on August 2, 2027; total expected in 2034
Sources
Solar Eclipse in August 2026 date, time: Will the Surya Grahan on August 12 be visible in India?
Solar Eclipse 12 August 2026: Will India witness this rare celestial event tomorrow? Everything you need to know
Surya Grahan 2026: Total Solar Eclipse today, but will it be visible in India? Check timing, sutak kaal
