People across Europe and the United States, alongside NASA, are all set to be treated to a chance to see a solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. According to NASA, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal on August 12, 2026.A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun, according to NASA. People located in the center of the Moon’s shadow when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse.The American space agency further says that northern parts of the United States, including from Alaska to North Carolina, will see a partial solar eclipse, during which the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but the celestial bodies are not perfectly aligned. Because only parts of the Sun are obscured, the Sun appears as a crescent shape. During a total or annular solar eclipse, people outside the area covered by the Moon’s inner shadow see a partial solar eclipse.The partial eclipse is expected to begin around 1.17 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C., and have 4 percent coverage, according to NASA. That means up to 4 percent of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. In Anchorage, Alaska, the eclipse will begin at 7.36 a.m., reach 28 percent coverage at 8.21 a.m., and end at 9.09 a.m.In Reykjavík, Iceland, the total eclipse will begin at 5.48 p.m. local time, and in León, Spain, totality will begin at 8.28 p.m. and last for two minutes. The upcoming solar event is generating immense interest among astronomers and skywatchers worldwide. It will be an exceptional event: the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905, according to the European Space Agency, and the first in a remarkable series of three solar eclipses that will be visible from Spain between 2026 and 2028.This rare astronomical spectacle makes the region one of the best locations on the planet to witness the phenomenon.Essential tips for skygazersAll the skygazers who are planning to witness either the total or partial eclipse, special equipment such as eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with special filters will be necessary to protect one’s eyes.Looking at the sun without proper eye protection, even for a brief moment, can cause permanent damage to the retina and may lead to blindness, a condition known as solar retinopathy. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark, and homemade filters are not safe for viewing the sun.The only safe way to look directly at the sun, whether during an eclipse or at any other time, is by using special-purpose solar filters. These filters are built into certified “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers, which are designed to protect your eyes from harmful rays while allowing you to safely experience the view.NASA seeks fresh opportunityWhile the eclipse will give skywatchers a chance to safely marvel at the rare phenomenon, as the next total solar eclipse, NASA says that its funded science teams will be chasing the Moon’s shadow with a high altitude jet and scientific balloons to investigate the Sun’s dynamics and how the temporary darkening of our skies affects our atmosphere. From our unique perspective on Earth during a total solar eclipse, scientists can study the Sun's corona in a way we can't from anywhere else in the solar system, Kelly Korreck, eclipse program manager for NASA, said in a statement.The next partial solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the U.S. on Aug. 2, 2027, with totality visible from Spain, the Middle East and parts of North Africa. A total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the contiguous U.S. on Aug. 23, 2044.
