Mainland Europe Set To Witness Its First Total Solar Eclipse Since 1999
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On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, and narrow parts of northern Spain and Portugal. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999.
Millions of skywatchers outside the path of totality will see a partial solar eclipse. This includes all of Europe, Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. For many in Europe and Africa, the timing will be especially magical. The Sun will set while still obscured by the Moon, creating a rare and stunning "sunset partial eclipse."
This eclipse also marks the start of a rare series for Spain. The country will experience three major solar eclipses in three years: a total eclipse in 2026, another total eclipse in 2027, and an annular "ring of fire" eclipse in 2028.
What to expect
People inside the path of totality will see the sky suddenly turn dark as the Moon completely covers the Sun. During totality, they will be able to see the Sun’s glowing outer layer, called the corona. Depending on the time of day, bright stars and planets may also become visible. The total phase of the eclipse will last about two minutes. The partial eclipse, however, will begin more than an hour before and continue for more than an hour after.
What causes a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on our planet. However, we do not get a solar eclipse every month. This is because the Moon's orbit is tilted slightly compared with Earth's path around the Sun. An eclipse can happen only when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up just right.
The Moon also travels around Earth in an oval-shaped, or elliptical, orbit. Its distance from Earth changes between about 221,500 and 252,000 miles (356,000 to 406,000 km). When the Moon is closer to Earth, it appears large enough to completely cover the Sun. This creates a total solar eclipse. When it is farther away, a bright ring of sunlight remains around the Moon. This is called an annular eclipse.
A partial eclipse happens when the Moon covers only part of the Sun. This can happen because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not lined up perfectly. It can also happen because the observer is outside the path of totality.
Are total solar eclipses rare?
A total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth about every 18 months. However, only people inside the path of totality can see the Sun completely covered. This narrow path is usually only 93 to 155 miles (150 to 250 km) wide. Moreover, on average, a total solar eclipse is visible from the same place only about once every 360 years. Hence, for most people, seeing a total solar eclipse close to home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
How to view the solar eclipse
A solar eclipse should always be seen using certified solar eclipse glasses. Without protection, the Sun’s intense light and radiation can cause permanent eye damage or blindness in just a few seconds.
If eclipse glasses are not available, a simple pinhole camera offers a safe alternative. It projects an image of the Sun onto a piece of paper or cardboard. This allows the eclipse to be viewed indirectly.
Credit: NASA.gov, Exploratorium.edu, Newscientist.com
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7 Comments
this is amazing!
i_love_god3 daysWow! So awesome!
ilovehenrydsaf13 daysnice! I cant wait until 2028 for the next USA solar eclipse!
thejackguy3 daysMy dad said to never look at the sun 😑
dog885 daysNew Zealand is getting a solar eclipse next year I think its the first in more than 850 years
starstricken5 dayswow that's rly cool! (first to comment!)
kytibocujogy5 daysLucky Europe I guess... (BTW first to comment)