Join ESA for a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026

Key Points:

• On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe and the north Atlantic, with the path of totality crossing Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal; other European regions will witness a partial eclipse.
• Spain will experience the largest area of totality in Europe during this eclipse, marking the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905 and the first of three eclipses visible from the country between 2026 and 2028.
• The European Space Agency (ESA) is organizing various activities including a live broadcast from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre in Spain, a free public observation program in León, and educational resources for schools and the public in both English and Spanish.
• ESA emphasizes the scientific importance of the eclipse, linking it to ongoing missions studying the Sun such as Solar Orbiter, Smile, and Proba 3, and aims to inspire public interest and understanding in solar and space science.
• Safety warnings highlight the necessity of using certified eclipse glasses for viewing the eclipse to prevent serious eye damage, with protection required except during the brief period of totality when the Moon fully covers the Sun.