TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE · 12 AUGUST 2026
Solar Eclipse — 12 August 2026
On Wednesday 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse crosses parts of the Arctic, North Atlantic and western Europe. Use SunPoint to turn the event into a practical direction from your chosen viewing location.
The path of totality crosses Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and a small corner of Portugal. A much larger area sees a partial eclipse, including much of Europe, Canada, parts of the northern United States and northwestern Africa.
For observers in parts of western Europe, this is a low-Sun eclipse. In Spain and nearby regions, totality occurs late in the day, close to sunset.
The eclipse occurs on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Totality occurs only inside the narrow central path. Wider regions see a partial eclipse.
The path includes northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a small part of Portugal.
Across parts of Spain and nearby regions, the eclipsed Sun approaches the horizon late in the event.
Stand here. Look this way.
Use the live SunPoint map to choose a location, open Eclipse mode and see the direction line for the 12 August 2026 event.
- Local maximum time where supported
- Sun azimuth and compass direction
- Sun altitude at maximum
- Direction line on the map
Dynamic location output belongs in the map layer. Article examples below use sourced static circumstances only where stated.
Where is the 12 August 2026 eclipse total?
Totality follows a narrow track across the Northern Hemisphere. The Moon's central shadow passes across high northern latitudes before crossing Greenland and Iceland, travelling across the North Atlantic and entering the Iberian Peninsula.
Do not treat the whole of Spain as totality: several areas lie within the path, while wider areas see a partial eclipse.
View NASA's 2026 eclipse overview →Authoritative path data
This release uses text and utility links rather than drawing a decorative path map. A precise path graphic should be derived from authoritative data before being added.
NASA eclipse path table →Why this eclipse is unusual in western Europe
The timing is one of the most interesting features. In Iceland, totality occurs in the late afternoon. In Spain, it occurs in the evening, and in some locations the partial eclipse continues until sunset.
For locations close to sunset, check azimuth, altitude, terrain, buildings and whether the Sun sets before all eclipse phases are complete.
Example total-eclipse locations
The current site does not include a maintained city-by-city eclipse-circumstances dataset. Rather than fabricating values, use the live map for local calculation and verify detailed timings from an authoritative eclipse source before travel.
Total eclipse versus partial eclipse
The Moon completely covers the Sun's bright visible surface. Only observers inside the path of totality experience this phase.
Only part of the Sun is obscured. The partial phase is visible across a much wider region.
Viewing safety
Direct solar viewing during the partial phases requires appropriate solar protection. Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient.
Only during the brief period of complete totality, for an observer actually inside the path of totality, is the Sun's bright face completely obscured. As soon as any bright part of the Sun reappears, appropriate protection is required again.
Read UKHSA eclipse safety guidance →Frequently asked questions
Find your eclipse direction
The eclipse path tells you where on Earth to go. SunPoint tells you where in your sky to look.
Open eclipse map →