The 2026 Total Solar Eclipse Will Darken Parts of Europe Today — How and Where to See It, and Why Totality Is a Rare Event

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will occur, casting its shadow over parts of Europe, North Africa, and even some areas in the United States. The phenomenon, known as totality, occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun, leaving only the corona visible. This rare event happens approximately once every 400 years, making it a truly unique celestial occurrence.

The path of totality will traverse the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, and the Atlantic Ocean before reaching northern Portugal and Spain. While the United States will not experience the full totality, areas such as Alaska will witness significant darkening, with Fairbanks seeing up to 37% of the sun obscured at its peak.

For those in Europe and parts of North Africa, the eclipse will provide dramatic views, with up to 90% of the sun obscured in some locations. Viewers in Reykjavik, Iceland, will be able to witness totality starting at 5:48 p.m. local time, while those in León, Zaragoza, and Valencia, Spain, will see totality at 8:28 p.m., 8:29 p.m., and 8:32 p.m., respectively.

In the United States, Alaskans will be the first to experience the eclipse, with peak times at 8:21 a.m. in Anchorage and 8:27 a.m. in Fairbanks. East Coast viewers will observe a partial eclipse shortly after noon, with Portland, Maine, experiencing the darkest moments at 12:57 p.m. and a peak of 25% sun coverage at 1:53 p.m. Meanwhile, regions such as Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington will witness the eclipse with less extreme coverage, reaching a maximum of 9% in New York.

Given the rarity of such an event, it is crucial to observe safety precautions. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious eye damage. To safely view the eclipse, one must use specialized eye protection such as eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer. These protective devices are designed to be thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses and should be used with care, ensuring they are not scratched or damaged.

Using binoculars, a telescope, or a camera lens to view the eclipse without proper eye protection is strongly discouraged, as the concentrated solar rays can lead to severe injuries. If indirect viewing is necessary, one can use a colander or similar object to observe the shadow cast by the sun and moon.