Overview
- The total solar eclipse is confirmed for Wednesday, August 12 and will put a narrow path of totality across eastern Greenland, western Iceland and parts of northern Spain with up to about 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality near Iceland.
- Millions outside that path across much of Europe, parts of North America and northwestern Africa will see a deep partial eclipse so precise local timings matter for viewers and broadcasters.
- NASA, ESA and partner observatories have scheduled livestreams and are mounting scientific campaigns that include high‑altitude research aircraft and balloon launches to study the Sun’s corona and short‑term atmospheric effects.
- Health agencies and astronomy groups warn that viewing is unsafe without ISO 12312‑2‑compliant solar filters and certified eclipse glasses because even a sliver of the Sun can cause permanent retinal damage.
- The eclipse falls the same night as the Perseid meteor‑shower peak and a new moon, a combination that boosts public demand for dark‑sky viewing, strains supplies of certified viewers and makes weather and site logistics the main remaining uncertainties.