Overview
- The total solar eclipse, which will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, follows a narrow path of totality across parts of northern Russia, northeastern Greenland, western Iceland and a small corner of Portugal before sweeping northern Spain.
- Millions outside that corridor in Europe, North America and northwestern Africa will see a deep partial eclipse with many locations in Britain and Ireland losing roughly 90 to 96 percent of the Sun at maximum.
- NASA, ESA and national observatories will livestream the event and run coordinated observation campaigns that include high-altitude research aircraft and scientific balloons to capture the corona and measure atmospheric effects.
- Authorities and scientific bodies are issuing consistent safety rules that require ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters for any direct viewing except during the brief instant of totality for observers inside the path.
- The eclipse falls near the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, boosting public interest and travel demand and prompting local plans for weather contingencies, supply of certified eyewear and expanded public streams for those who cannot travel.