{
  "id": 204197,
  "title": "2026's first total solar eclipse on August 12: Where to watch and what to avoid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/2026s-first-total-solar-eclipse-on-august-12-where-to-watch-and-what",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T18:32:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/first-total-solar-eclipse-of-2026-falls-on-august-12-what-makes-it-special-the-best-places-to-watch-and-what-you-must-never-do/articleshow/132959907.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 12, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, casting a narrow path of darkness across Europe during the first total solar eclipse to occur on the continent since 2024. Spain will be the primary location for the eclipse, with totality visible from cities such as León, Burgos, Valladolid, Santander, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Palma, lasting around a minute or two. The eclipse will also be visible in parts of northern Spain and other European countries, with varying degrees of coverage. Meanwhile, North America will experience a significantly lesser partial eclipse, with a maximum obscuration of just 9 percent in New York.\n\nThis eclipse is unique for two reasons: it coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, and it occurs at lunar perigee, making the Moon appear larger than usual and extending the duration of totality. For those unable to witness the eclipse in person, the European Space Agency (ESA) is offering a live stream of the event on YouTube and ESA Web TV, starting at 19:30 CEST. The main broadcast will originate from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre in Teruel, Spain, where totality will last 1 minute and 21 seconds. ESA will also provide additional feeds from León and Frómista, and host a public event at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in León.\n\nSafety is paramount when observing a solar eclipse. Never look directly at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses, and avoid using sunglasses or unfiltered binoculars or telescopes. Approved viewers are available from the American Astronomical Society, and alternative methods such as pinhole projectors or colanders can safely project images of the eclipse.",
  "summary": "A total solar eclipse will cross Europe on August 12, casting parts of Spain into darkness. This rare event coincides with lunar perigee and the Perseid meteor shower. Viewers in Spain will experience totality for over a minute, while other regions see partial eclipses. The European Space Agency will stream the eclipse live online for global audiences. Safe viewing practices, including certified…",
  "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."
}