{
  "id": 167348,
  "title": "Total solar eclipse: how to watch live from home",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/total-solar-eclipse-how-to-watch-live-from-home",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ESA Space Science",
    "slug": "esa-space-science",
    "url": "https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Total_solar_eclipse_how_to_watch_live_from_home"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A total solar eclipse is set to grace Europe on 12 August 2026, and the European Space Agency (ESA) will provide a live broadcast from 19:30 CEST, allowing viewers worldwide to witness this spectacular celestial event. The live broadcast will be hosted by renowned space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin and ESA's Director of Science Professor Carole Mundell, featuring ESA scientists Andy To, Miho Janvier, and Martin Hewitson, as well as observatory director Javier Cenarro.\n\nDuring the eclipse, viewers will be treated to telescope feeds, drone shots, and interviews with experts discussing the Sun's corona, the historical impact of eclipses on our understanding of gravity, and ESA's plans for artificial solar eclipses in space. The highlight of the broadcast will be the one-minute and 21-second period of totality at 20:31 CEST, when Javalambre will be plunged into complete darkness.\n\nLocated within the path of totality, the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre offers excellent viewing conditions with rare cloud cover and low light pollution. The observatory's professional telescopes will provide close-up observations of the eclipse's different phases, while additional small telescopes will be set up to offer real-time views. ESA will also receive live observations from two other locations within the path of totality, increasing the chances of capturing high-quality imagery for the live broadcast.\n\nIn addition to the main broadcast, ESA has organized a free public event in León, Spain, featuring hands-on workshops, experiments, and interactive activities for all ages. The event will run from 10:00–14:00 CEST, followed by an outdoor program starting at 17:30 CEST, with the main stage program beginning at 18:30 CEST. Visitors can engage with the eclipse experience by participating in the various activities and discussing their questions using the hashtag #EuropeanSolarEclipse on Bluesky and X.",
  "summary": "A total solar eclipse is set to occur on August 12, 2026, visible in Europe, parts of northeastern United States, and eastern Canada. The path of totality will cover Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and the Balearic Islands. According to Space.com, along this narrow path, day will briefly turn to twilight as the moon completely covers the sun, revealing its outer atmosphere, the corona.\n\nThe European Space Agency (ESA) will broadcast the event live on YouTube on August 12 from 19:30 to 20:45 CEST. The ESA's live broadcast will also include an event programme in León, Spain.\n\nThe eclipse will be partially visible to millions of people across much of Europe, with some locations witnessing the moon appear to take a bite out of the sun. Space.com will provide live reporting from two locations along the path of totality, including Greenland and Spain.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}