Overview
- A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 will trace a narrow path of totality across eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, where observers will see the Sun completely blocked for up to about two minutes.
- Much of the UK will experience a deep partial eclipse of roughly 90% coverage in cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, while parts of northeastern Canada and the U.S. will see smaller partials (for example, Iqaluit ~61% and Presque Isle, Maine ~28%).
- The Perseid meteor shower will peak the night of 12–13 August, and the New Moon plus moonset that evening will leave very dark skies that could allow observers to see dozens of meteors per hour, with best rates after midnight.
- Officials and scientists say never to look at the Sun without ISO 12312-2–compliant eclipse glasses or certified solar filters for cameras, binoculars or telescopes, and they advise dark sites and 20 minutes for eyes to adapt when watching the Perseids.
- Several citizen-science projects now invite public participation—options include SunSketcher photos of Baily’s Beads, Gaia4Sustainability sky-darkness sensors, Sungrazer satellite searches and shadow-band recordings—helping researchers map atmospheric effects and refine solar measurements.