Solar eclipse guide

12 August 2026

Total solar eclipse

The first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The path of totality sweeps across the Canary Islands and mainland Spain, with a deep partial eclipse across Europe, North Africa, and the North Atlantic.

Planning a trip or watching from home? Below you will find the totality path by country, key UTC milestones, safety rules for partial phases, and answers to common questions.

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Key times in UTC

Key milestones · 12 August 2026 (UTC)

Partial begins ~15:56
Maximum eclipse ~17:47
Partial ends ~19:37

Approximate; exact times depend on your location. Use a solar eclipse calculator for your coordinates.

Eclipse quick facts

Date

12 August 2026

Maximum totality

2 min 18 sec

Path

Canary Islands → Spain → Atlantic

Type

Total solar eclipse

Path of totality

Where will you see totality in 2026?

The eclipse path crosses Greenland and the North Atlantic before reaching the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. Outside the narrow umbra, observers still see a striking partial eclipse. Always use certified eye protection except during full totality on the centre line.

Eclipse coverage by country or region on 12 August 2026
Country / region Coverage Max totality Key cities
Spain (mainland) Total (path varies 100%) Up to 2m 18s Valencia, Zaragoza, Balearic Islands
Canary Islands Total (100%) ~2m 10s Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote
Portugal (mainland) Deep partial (95–99%) N/A (partial only) Lisbon, Porto
France Deep partial (85–95%) N/A (partial only) Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux
United Kingdom Deep partial (80–92%) N/A (partial only) London, Edinburgh, Cardiff
Germany Partial (70–80%) N/A (partial only) Berlin, Munich, Hamburg
Italy Partial (55–70%) N/A (partial only) Rome, Milan, Naples
Morocco Deep partial (80–95%) N/A (partial only) Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez

* Durations and coverage are approximate. NASA Eclipse publishes authoritative maps and Besselian elements for precise local calculations.

Eclipse safety

Certified glasses for every partial phase

Whether you are on the centre line in Spain or watching a deep partial in the UK, France, or Germany, ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses are required whenever any bright portion of the solar disk is visible.

Only during the brief minutes of complete totality, when the Moon fully covers the Sun, may observers in the path briefly view the corona without filters, and only then. The instant sunlight returns, glasses go back on.

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Phases & what to do

  • ! Partial begins Keep glasses on: the Sun is never safe to view directly.
  • ! Deep partial Glasses on: the crescent is still dangerously bright.
  • ✓ Totality (umbra only) Briefly safe without glasses (corona only, full disk covered).
  • ! Third contact Glasses on immediately as the photosphere reappears.
  • ! Partial ends Glasses on until the eclipse is completely over.

FAQ

Common questions

Straight answers on timing, visibility, and eye safety for August 2026.

The 2026 total solar eclipse occurs on 12 August 2026. Maximum totality is at approximately 17:47 UTC. The partial phase begins around 15:56 UTC and ends around 19:37 UTC across most of Europe.
The path of totality crosses the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Portugal (partial totality), the Faroe Islands area, Greenland, and continues across the North Atlantic. A deep partial eclipse is visible across all of Europe, North Africa, and much of the Atlantic.
Maximum totality duration is approximately 2 minutes 18 seconds. Spain (including the Balearic Islands) and the Canary Islands will experience the longest totality in Europe.
Yes. Eclipse glasses certified to ISO 12312-2 are required throughout the partial phases. Only during the brief period of complete totality (when the moon fully covers the sun) is it safe to look without glasses. Outside the path of totality, eclipse glasses are required for the entire eclipse.
The UK will experience a deep partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 - up to around 90% coverage in southern England. Eclipse glasses are essential for the entire duration in the UK.
The path of totality in Spain crosses from the Canary Islands and enters mainland Spain near Valencia, continuing northeast toward the Pyrenees. Cities like Valencia, Zaragoza, and the Balearic Islands are well-positioned for maximum totality duration.

More eclipse resources

Continue planning with our safety guide, the 2027 eclipse page, and ISO-certified eyewear.