A total solar eclipse is scheduled for today, August 12, 2026, and around 15.2 million people live in the area of the planet where it will be possible to observe the entire phenomenon. This estimate is from the specialized website Time and Date.
Even more extensive is the visibility of the partial eclipse. Approximately 980 million individuals, corresponding to 12% of the global population, will be in regions where the Moon will obscure part of the Sun.
The band where the Sun will be completely hidden crosses territories such as Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and a small portion of Portugal.
The partial phase of the eclipse will have a much wider reach, covering a large part of Europe, as well as areas of North America, northern Asia and the northern and western regions of Africa.
It is important to note that, in Brazil, the solar eclipse will not be visible, not even partially.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon positions itself between the Sun and the Earth in such a way as to cast its shadow on our planet. When the Moon completely blocks sunlight, the event is classified as a total solar eclipse, like the one predicted to occur in Europe.
This distinction between total and partial eclipse explains why millions of people will be able to witness some phase of the phenomenon, but only a considerable fraction will be in the zone of totality.
On August 12, 2026, the maximum duration with the Sun completely covered will be approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Opening hours and security for observing the phenomenon
The total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026. The event will begin at 12:34 pm, Brasília time, when the Moon’s shadow begins to touch the first point of the planet, partially covering the Sun.
The total phase of the eclipse will begin at 1:58 pm, and the moment of greatest intensity is predicted for 2:46 pm.
These times, however, represent the advancement of the eclipse through different locations on Earth and not what a single person will observe from beginning to end.
At 12:34 pm, the partial eclipse will begin at the first point on the planet hit by the lunar shadow.
At 1:58 p.m., totality will begin in the first area where the Moon completely obscures the Sun.
Learn more: Understand the total solar eclipse of August 12, the first in two decades
At 2:46 pm, the global maximum will occur, the moment when the alignment between the Sun, Moon and Earth reaches its peak during the phenomenon.
In each specific location, the Sun will be completely covered for just a few minutes.
For Brazilians, who will not have visibility of the event, the alternative will be to follow the live broadcasts on the internet, offered by institutions such as NASA and the National Observatory.
For those who are in regions where the phenomenon will be visible, it is essential to follow the basic safety rule: never observe the Sun directly without adequate protection, even during the partial phases of the eclipse.
Ordinary glasses, cameras, binoculars and telescopes that do not have specific solar filters do not offer the necessary protection for the eyes.
Restriction of full visibility to a limited area
People located outside the band of totality will only see a part of the Sun covered by the Moon, or they will not be able to observe the eclipse.
On August 12, 2026, this band will cross regions with low population density in Greenland and Iceland, before reaching the European continent.
Spain stands out as one of the main locations for fully observing the phenomenon.
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In Spanish cities located within the band, the Sun will disappear completely for a moment.
In other parts of Europe, it will be possible to observe a partial eclipse, with different proportions of the solar disk covered.
In North Africa and North America, the eclipse will only be seen partially.
Apparent size of the Sun and Moon in the sky
Although the Sun is immensely larger than the Moon, both can appear to be of similar dimensions when viewed from Earth.
This perception occurs due to the much greater distance from the Sun in relation to our planet.
This specific combination of size and distance allows, in certain alignments, the Moon to completely cover the solar disk.
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It is this rare coincidence that makes it possible to observe the solar corona, the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, during brief moments of totality.
Eclipse in Spain will occur in the late afternoon
A peculiar characteristic of this eclipse is that, in several locations in Spain, totality will occur with the Sun already close to the horizon, in the late afternoon.
This implies that, in addition to a cloudless sky, it will be crucial to have a clear view towards the sunset, without obstructions such as mountains or buildings.
In some parts of the country, the Sun will be a few degrees high at the time of greatest occultation.
Short duration of the totality phase
Even in the best viewing areas, the total eclipse will be a quick event.
The estimated maximum duration is approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds. In many cities, the period in which the Sun will be completely covered will be even shorter.
Small distances can also influence the experience. The closer the observer is to the center of the totality band, the longer the total eclipse time tends to be.
As with any astronomical phenomenon, weather conditions will be decisive. Cloud cover at the time of the eclipse may make observation completely impossible.
Spain becomes the focus of a rare sequence of eclipses
The August 12, 2026 eclipse will mark the beginning of a sequence of notable celestial events in the Iberian Peninsula, attracting global attention.
On August 12, 2027, another total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Spain. In January 2028, the country will witness an annular solar eclipse, characterized by the formation of a “ring of fire” around the Moon.
More on this story: On August 12, the Moon will obscure the Sun in a rare total solar eclipse visible in the Atlantic
This series of phenomena transformed Spain and Portugal into prominent destinations for astronomers, tourists and enthusiasts looking to follow these celestial spectacles, boosting astro-tourism in the region.
Brazil will not have visibility of the solar eclipse
The eclipse on August 12, 2026 cannot be seen from Brazilian territory.
For residents of Brazil, the alternative will be to follow transmissions made from countries located in the visibility range.
However, just over two weeks later, another astronomical phenomenon will be visible in the country. In the early hours of August 27th to 28th, a partial lunar eclipse can be observed throughout Brazil, as long as the sky is cloudless.