3 weeks ago
Solar Eclipse 2026: rare total eclipse sweeps Europe, Spain, Iceland
On Wednesday, 12 August 2026, the Moon will pass right in front of the Sun, and the Sun will look like it is disappearing.
This special event is called a solar eclipse.
In some places, the Sun will be completely hidden, and the sky will go dark for about two minutes.
People in Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Russia will get to see that.
It is the first time since 1999 that a total eclipse can be seen from mainland Europe.
In the UK, the Sun will only be partly covered, so it will look like a bite has been taken out of it — about 90% hidden in London and up to 95% in Cornwall.
People in India will not see it because the Moon's shadow does not reach there, and it happens during their night.
Spain is expecting up to 6 million visitors, with hundreds of special viewing spots ready.
You must never stare at the Sun, because it can hurt your eyes, so you need special eclipse glasses.
The eclipse happens late in the day, when the Sun is low in the sky, so you need a clear view of the west.
A total solar eclipse occurs on Wednesday 12 August 2026 as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, with totality lasting less than two minutes, according to NASA.
Totality will cross Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the North Atlantic, Spain and a small part of Portugal — continental Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999.
Spanish authorities expect up to 6 million visitors along the eclipse path, with 350 official viewing sites set up across Spain's thinly populated 'Empty Spain' interior.
The UK sees a partial eclipse starting around 6pm BST and peaking between 7:02pm and 7:16pm BST, with about 90% of the Sun covered in London and up to 95% in Cornwall.
India will not see the eclipse because its path does not extend there and it falls during Indian night-time hours; observers are advised to use certified eclipse glasses.
- Who
- Millions of people across Spain, Iceland, the UK and other parts of Europe, as well as observers in Canada, the northern United States and northwestern Africa
- What
- A total solar eclipse, with a far wider partial eclipse visible across much of Europe, North America and northwestern Africa
- Where
- Totality crosses Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the North Atlantic, Spain and a small part of Portugal; Spain and Portugal offer the best views with clear skies
- When
- Wednesday, 12 August 2026; the UK partial eclipse begins around 6pm BST and peaks between 7:02pm and 7:16pm BST
- Why
- The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking sunlight for a few minutes along a narrow path
Key facts
- Event
- Total solar eclipse
- Date
- Wednesday, 12 August 2026
- Totality duration
- Less than two minutes (per NASA)
- UK peak time
- 7:02pm–7:16pm BST depending on location
- Sun obscured in London
- About 90%
- Sun obscured in Cornwall
- Up to 95%
- First on mainland Europe since
- 1999
- Expected visitors to Spain
- Up to 6 million
Sources
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