Skywatchers across parts of Europe, Greenland, and Iceland are preparing for a rare celestial event: a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. This will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999, offering a dramatic spectacle as the Moon completely blocks the Sun. The path of totality, where the full eclipse is visible, will sweep across remote Siberia, eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain, before exiting over the Mediterranean Sea.Millions more in surrounding regions will experience a partial solar eclipse.[space+9]
Eclipse Path Unfolds Across Northern Hemisphere
The total solar eclipse begins its journey at sunrise over remote northern Siberia, then unusually tracks from east to west across the Arctic icecap, coming within a degree of the North Pole.It makes its first landfall in Greenland, crossing the Northeast Greenland National Park and the Scoresby Sund fjord, where observers could experience up to 2 minutes and 16 seconds of totality.This remote region offers a unique blend of majestic fjords and a micro-climate that may provide clearer skies for viewing.[en+6]
The Moon's shadow then moves across the Denmark Strait to western Iceland. Here, the capital city of ReykjavÃk lies within the path of totality, though the longest durations, exceeding two minutes, will be found in the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Iceland will witness its first total solar eclipse since 1954. The maximum duration of totality for this eclipse, 2 minutes and 18 seconds, will occur in the ocean just off Iceland's western coast.[space+4]
After Iceland, the eclipse traverses the Atlantic Ocean and reaches northern Spain. Spanish cities like Leon, Burgos, Valladolid, Gijón, and Bilbao are all within the path, as are the Balearic Islands, including Mallorca. InSpain, the eclipse will unfold about an hour before sunset, creating dramatic photographic opportunities due to the low position of the eclipsed Sun. Totality in Spain will last up to 1 minute and 49 seconds. A very small portion of northeastern Portugal will also experience totality.[forbes+10]
Viewing Safety and Celestial Companions
Witnessing a total solar eclipse requires careful preparation, especially regarding eye safety. During the brief period of totality, when the Moon fully obscures the Sun, it is safe to look directly at the eclipse. However, for all other phases of the eclipse, including the partial phases before and after totality, special-purpose solar filters, such as certified "eclipse glasses" or hand-held solar viewers, are essential to protect your eyes. Homemade filters or regular sunglasses do not offer adequate protection.[nso+2]
Experts advise planning travel and accommodation well in advance, as popular viewing locations are expected to book up quickly. Choosing a spot within the centerline of the path of totality will maximize the duration of the breathtaking experience. The path of totality is a narrow corridor, typically around 180 miles wide. Outside this path, viewers will only see a partial eclipse.[nso+4]
During totality, observers may also spot several bright planets and stars in the darkened sky. Mercury and Jupiter will appear low near the eclipsed Sun. Mars and Saturn will be visible in the northeast and southeast, respectively, while Venus will shine brightly in the southwest. Bright stars like Arcturus and those forming the Summer Triangle could also make an appearance. Inthe far northern reaches of Russia, there is even a rare chance to see the aurora borealis simultaneously with the eclipsed Sun, if a strong geomagnetic storm occurs.[roughguides+4]
A Golden Age of Eclipses Begins
The August 2026 total solar eclipse marks the beginning of a remarkable period for eclipse chasers. From 2026 to 2028, Earth will experience a "double eclipse cascade," featuring three total solar eclipses and three annular solar eclipses. This sequence, a repetition of a pattern last seen from 2008 to 2010, offers multiple opportunities to witness these awe-inspiring celestial events.[space+2]
Following the 2026 event, the next total solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, with its path stretching across southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East, offering a much longer totality of up to 6 minutes and 22 seconds, particularly in Egypt. Another total solar eclipse will then occur on July 22, 2028, visible from Australia and New Zealand. This trio of total eclipses, occurring within a two-year span, is a rare astronomical treat, driven by a resonance of three separate Saros cycles.[space+10]
For those unable to travel to the path of totality, a partial solar eclipse will still be visible across a large portion of Europe, North Africa, and parts of North America. However, the full, transformative experience of a total solar eclipse, where daylight gives way to an eerie twilight and the Sun's ghostly corona becomes visible, remains a truly unforgettable moment.[space+5]
