Total Solar Eclipse Set for August 12 Across Parts of Europe

A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, casting a shadow that will fully block the Sun for observers in a narrow path across Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and northeastern Portugal, according to NASA. The event will begin over the Arctic coastline around 1 p.m. ET, move near the North Pole, and then traverse the listed regions before ending at sunset.

People outside the path of totality will see a partial eclipse, with only a portion of the Sun obscured, across parts of Europe, Africa and North America. The last total eclipse visible from mainland Europe was in 2006, and the previous one seen from Spain’s mainland occurred in 1905.

"A total solar eclipse is one of those rare moments when millions of people can look up together and feel both wonder and curiosity," said Carole Mundell, director of science at the European Space Agency. "It is a shared moment that connects us to the Universe and reminds us that the desire to explore and understand is one of humanity's greatest strengths."

The duration of totality will vary: observers in Greenland may experience just over two minutes, while those in northern Spain could see as little as 20 seconds, weather permitting. The European Space Agency will provide a live stream of the eclipse from Spain’s Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre for viewers outside the path.

The next total solar eclipse after August 12 will pass over southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen on August 2, 2027. The United States will not see another total eclipse until March 30, 2033, limited to Alaska, with the next continental U.S. event slated for August 22, 2044.

Safety guidelines stress that looking directly at the Sun is hazardous except during the brief period of totality. Observers should use certified eclipse glasses or solar viewers, and avoid using ordinary sunglasses or damaged filters. Using optical devices without proper solar filters can cause severe eye injury.

Scientists plan to launch high‑altitude balloons during the eclipse to replicate the 1919 experiment that confirmed Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Citizen scientists are also invited to construct instruments to record atmospheric changes during the brief darkness.