A landmark astronomical event will occur on August 12, 2026, when a total solar eclipse will be visible to approximately 15.2 million people. This rare phenomenon will turn day into night for residents located within the range of totality, according to data from the Time and Date website.
The number of individuals who will be able to witness at least part of the Sun covered by the Moon is significantly greater, reaching around 980 million people, which represents 12% of the global population, in several regions with partial visibility.
Regions in Europe and other continents that will see the total eclipse
The exact route where the Sun will be completely obscured includes theGreenland, aIceland, the northern portion of theRussia, theSpainand a small area ofPortugal, providing a unique experience for residents of these locations.
The partial phase of the eclipse, on the other hand, will cover a much larger geographic area, with visibility in much of Europe, as well as regions of North America, northern Asia and both north and west Africa.
For Brazilians, however, the phenomenon will not be visible, not even partially, making direct observation of the national territory impossible.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon aligns itself between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow over our planet. An eclipse is considered total when the Moon completely blocks sunlight, exactly as it will appear in Europe during this event.
This distinction is essential to understand that, while millions of people will see a phase of the phenomenon, only a small portion of the world’s population will be positioned in the narrow band where the entirety will be observed.
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On August 12, 2026, the maximum period during which the Sun will be completely covered will not exceed approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds, making the observation of totality a brief and intense moment.
Some important particularities involve the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026.
Details about the start of the eclipse and observation guidelines
The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 will begin at 12:34 pm Brasília time, at which point the Moon will begin to partially cover the Sun at the first point on the planet to be reached by the shadow.
The phase of totality will begin at 1:58 pm, with the point of maximum occultation expected to occur at 2:46 pm, presenting the greatest solar coverage.
It is important to note that these global times do not represent what a single observer will see in its entirety, but rather the advance of the eclipse across different locations on the planet:
- 12:34 pm: Marks the beginning of the partial eclipse in the first region of the globe hit by the lunar shadow.
- 1:58 pm: Start of the totality phase at the initial point where the Moon completely obscures the Sun.
- 2:46 pm: The global peak occurs, when the alignment between the Sun, Moon and Earth reaches its plenitude during the event.
The duration of total occultation of the Sun in each specific location will only be a few minutes, requiring attention not to miss the peak.
Learn more: Grand solar eclipse on August 12th will reach almost a billion people globally
For those in Brazil, where the eclipse will not be visible, the alternative is to follow online broadcasts. NASA and the National Observatory (ON) plan to provide live coverage, with images from different points along the eclipse’s trajectory and comments from experts.
It is crucial for observers in visibility regions to follow safety guidelines by avoiding looking directly at the Sun without appropriate eye protection, including during partial stages of the eclipse.
Common sunglasses, cameras, binoculars and telescopes without specific solar filters do not offer the necessary protection to the eyes against intense sunlight.
Why only a restricted area of the planet will see the total eclipse
Individuals located outside the zone of totality will observe only a portion of the Sun obscured by the Moon or, in other cases, will have no visibility of the eclipse at all.
The band of totality on August 12, 2026, will initially cross sparsely populated regions in Greenland and Iceland before reaching the European continent.
Spain stands out as one of the central points for privileged observation of this rare astronomical phenomenon.
In Spanish cities that lie within the path of totality, the Sun will be completely hidden for a few moments, providing a memorable scene.
Other areas of the European continent will have the opportunity to witness a partial eclipse, where a part of the solar disk will be covered by the Moon, varying in magnitude.
In North Africa and certain regions of North America, viewing of the eclipse will be limited to its partial phase.
Comparison of the apparent size between the Sun and the Moon during the eclipse
Although the Sun is considerably larger than the Moon, when observed from Earth, both celestial bodies can appear to have very similar dimensions in the sky.
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This illusion occurs due to the much greater distance of the Sun in relation to our planet, which compensates for its grandeur.
The harmony between its proportions and distances allows, in specific alignments, the Moon to completely cover the solar disk. It is this coincidence that provides the view of the solar corona, the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, in the few minutes of totality.
The eclipse in Spain will coincide with the time of sunset
A peculiar feature of this eclipse is that, in many areas of Spain, the phase of totality will occur when the Sun is in a low position, close to the horizon.
This way, just a cloudless sky will not be enough. It will be essential that observers have an unobstructed view towards the sunset, free from mountains, buildings or any natural or artificial barriers.
In certain Spanish locations, the Sun will be at a minimum height above the horizon at the moment of greatest occultation of the eclipse.
The brief duration of the entire phenomenon
Even in areas considered ideal for observation, the total eclipse will last for a limited time. The forecast indicates a maximum of approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds, and in several cities, the time for complete occultation of the Sun will be even shorter.
A difference of a few kilometers can impact the experience, as the closer the observer is to the center of the band of totality, the longer the viewing time for the complete eclipse will be.
More on this story: UK will have most visible partial solar eclipse in 10 years on August 12
Additionally, weather conditions will play a crucial role, as in every astronomical phenomenon. The presence of clouds at the time of the eclipse may make observation completely impossible.
Spain prepares for an unusual sequence of solar eclipses
The eclipse of August 12, 2026 marks the beginning of a series of major astronomical events that will be visible from the Iberian Peninsula.
In August 2027, some parts of Spain will have the chance to observe another total solar eclipse. In January 2028, the country will be the scene of an annular solar eclipse, characterized by the formation of a “ring of fire” around the Moon, which does not completely cover the Sun.
This succession of events has consolidated Spain and Portugal as relevant destinations for astronomers, tourists and enthusiasts looking to witness these celestial phenomena.
Eclipse viewing opportunities for the Brazilian public
The eclipse of August 12, 2026 cannot be observed directly from any location in Brazil.
Brazilians have the alternative of following the live broadcasts made from countries that will be within the visibility range of the phenomenon.
However, just over two weeks after the solar eclipse, another astronomical event will be visible in Brazil: a partial lunar eclipse, which will occur in the early hours of August 27th to 28th, as long as weather conditions allow viewing across the entire national territory.