Millions across Europe, Africa, and North America will witness a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. While a narrow band of totality spans from Greenland and Iceland to Spain, North American viewers can catch partial phases during the early afternoon, with major space agencies providing live streaming coverage.
Celestial mechanics bring an alignment on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. For the first time in 28 months, a total solar eclipse graces the planet, though its narrow path of totality touches land in only a few select regions. While millions in Europe experience their first total eclipse in 27 years, skywatchers across North America prepare for a daytime celestial show of a different scale.
Where the Path of Totality Crosses Land and Sea
The central shadow of the moon travels some 5,157 miles across the Earth’s surface—a mere 0.47 percent of the planet. The path of totality sweeps largely over water, but it darkens skies above parts of Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, and Spain. This event marks mainland Europe’s first experience of totality since 1999.
In northern Greenland, the eclipse arrives during the season of the midnight sun, bringing roughly two minutes of totality and a rare glimpse of stars amidst 24-hour daylight. The maximum duration of the eclipse occurs over the Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Iceland, lasting for just two minutes and 18 seconds. Approximately 15.2 million people live within the path of totality, a smaller resident population than the 44 million who experienced the North American eclipse of 2024.
Across European cities, evening viewing conditions vary. Paris expects roughly 92 percent of the sun to be covered, London anticipates 91 percent, and Berlin looks toward 85 percent. Further east, however, the sun sets before the eclipse reaches its maximum point. In Spain, prime viewing cities such as Leon, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Teruel, and Valencia fall inside the path of totality, while Madrid and Barcelona sit just outside the primary band while still experiencing more than 99 percent solar coverage.
Partial Visibility Across North America and Local Schedules
Viewers in the United States and Canada see only a partial solar eclipse. In Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland, records about 53 percent coverage, dropping to 18 percent in Montreal and 8 percent in Toronto. In the United States, parts of Alaska experience the deepest partial eclipse in the country, with about 37 percent of the sun covered in Fairbanks and 28 percent in Anchorage. Coverage drops elsewhere in the US to roughly 24 percent in Bangor, Maine, 9 percent in New York City, and 3 percent in Detroit.
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Local viewing windows open during the early afternoon hours. In New York City, the partial eclipse begins at 1:07 p.m. EDT, peaks at 1:54 p.m. with about 19 percent of the sun covered by the moon, and ends at 2:38 p.m. Neighboring New Jersey observes a similar timeline, with the partial eclipse starting shortly around 1:05 p.m. EDT and lasting until 2:39 p.m.
Space Agencies and Museums Broadcast Live Global Feeds
For populations outside the path of totality or under unfavorable weather, multiple scientific organizations provide live digital broadcasts. The European Space Agency streams the event from the Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre in Teruel, Spain, starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. Hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin alongside ESA Director of Science Carole Mundell and other experts, the broadcast features live telescope feeds, expert interviews, and insights into solar science.
The U.S. space agency’s live feed launches at 1:15 p.m. Eastern time, featuring camera views and discussions detailing ongoing atmospheric research.
Museums and independent astronomical groups also join the global broadcast network.
Astronomical authorities emphasize that proper safety gear remains mandatory for anyone observing the partial phases. Certified eclipse glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, or appropriate solar viewers, are required to prevent severe eye injury, as ordinary sunglasses do not provide adequate protection.
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