Total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026: Iceland, Spain, and the North Atlantic.
On August 12, 2026 the Moon's shadow sweeps across the far North Atlantic and drops onto Europe at the end of the day. It is the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since August 1999, and the first crossing Iceland since 1954. For most of the continent it is a deep partial, but a lucky band from eastern Greenland through Iceland to northern Spain sits under the umbra itself. This is where and when it happens, in UTC, and how to watch the Sun in the run-up.
The path of totality.
The shadow first touches down over Arctic Russia at sunset, arcs across eastern Greenland, crosses western Iceland, runs down the North Atlantic, and finally reaches northern Spain with a small strip of extreme northeastern Portugal at the very end. Cities that fall inside totality include A Coruna, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Palma. Madrid and Barcelona sit just outside the track and get a deep partial instead, which is a common trap when people assume "Spain" means "in the path." The longest totality, about 2 minutes 18 seconds, falls over the ocean west of Latrabjarg in Iceland. Greenland sees up to roughly 2 minutes 6 seconds, and Spain up to about 1 minute 50 seconds.
Timing in UTC.
Greatest eclipse, the instant the axis of the shadow passes closest to Earth's center, is at 17:47 UTC, with an eclipse magnitude of 1.0386. That is out over the Atlantic. The Spanish leg comes later and carries a real catch: the shadow reaches northern Spain around 18:25 UTC with the Sun very low, close to setting. A low Sun means a clear western horizon decides everything. Coastal spots and high ground with an open view to the west and northwest are worth the drive. Times shift minute by minute along the track, so confirm the exact contact times for your spot before the day.
The partial eclipse almost everyone else gets.
Outside the narrow path of totality, a large partial eclipse covers a big slice of the world. Ireland, Britain, Portugal, France, Italy, and the Balkans see the Sun more than 90 percent covered, along with parts of North and West Africa and far northeastern North America. A partial eclipse is never safe to look at with the naked eye. Use certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard for every partial phase, and keep them on the whole time unless you are standing inside the path during full totality, which is the only moment the Sun is safe to view unaided.
The same day: Perseids under a new moon.
The new moon that causes this eclipse is the same new moon that hands the Perseid meteor shower its darkest peak in years. No moonlight on the peak nights means the 2026 Perseids are the ones to plan a dark-sky trip around, and the details are in the meteor showers 2026 and 2027 guide. Eclipse by evening, meteors after midnight, on the same date.
Common questions.
What time is the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026?
Greatest eclipse is at 17:47 UTC. Totality reaches northern Spain around 18:25 UTC, close to local sunset. Times along the path vary, so check for your exact location.
Where can you see totality in 2026?
Eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain, and a small strip of northeastern Portugal. Madrid and Barcelona are outside the path and see a deep partial eclipse.
How long does totality last?
Up to 2 minutes 18 seconds over the Atlantic near Iceland. Spain gets up to about 1 minute 50 seconds.
Do I need eclipse glasses?
Yes, certified eclipse glasses for every partial phase. Only during full totality, inside the path, is it safe to look without them.