The only total solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on Wednesday, August 12, affecting parts of northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. According to CBS News, this celestial event will see the moon passing in front of the sun, creating a path of totality that stretches across these regions.
Key Takeaways
The only total solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on August 12, affecting parts of northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. About 980 million people worldwide may see at least partial coverage.
- Total solar eclipse to cross northern Europe on August 12
- Path includes northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and part of Portugal
- Partial eclipse visible in much of Western Europe and parts of North America
- Up to two minutes of totality for those in the path
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Date | Broad Agreement | August 12, 2026 | |
| Path Of Totality | Broad Agreement | Northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal | |
| Duration Of Totality | Broad Agreement | 2 minutes and 18 seconds | |
| Partial Eclipse Visibility | Broad Agreement | Western Europe, parts of Northwest Africa, most of Canada, part of northern US |
Eclipse Date
Broad AgreementAugust 12, 2026
Path Of Totality
Broad AgreementNorthern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal
Duration Of Totality
Broad Agreement2 minutes and 18 seconds
Partial Eclipse Visibility
Broad AgreementWestern Europe, parts of Northwest Africa, most of Canada, part of northern US
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The eclipse will begin at around 17:00 UTC (1 p.m. Eastern time) in extreme northern Russia and move through northeast Greenland by 13:30 ET, reaching western Iceland by about 13:45 ET. Totality will be visible in Reykjavík at exactly 5:48 p.m. local time.
In Spain, a total solar eclipse has not been experienced since 1905. The path of totality will also include northern and eastern Spain, where cities like Leon, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Teruel, and Valencia are located inside the path of totality. Totality will begin at roughly 18:27 GMT in western Spain (8:27 p.m. local time) and last for up to two minutes and 18 seconds, depending on the exact location.
According to Al Jazeera, a partial eclipse will be visible across much of Western Europe, parts of Northwest Africa, most of Canada, and part of the northern United States. About 980 million people worldwide may see at least partial coverage. In Paris, roughly 92 percent of the sun will be covered, in London 91 percent, and in Berlin 85 percent.
For those outside the path of totality but lucky enough to experience a 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, even if for a short time, can cause significant eye damage, including burns and even permanent vision loss.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.