Winter Solstice 2026
The shortest day in the northern hemisphere and the astronomical start of winter.
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About the 2026 total solar eclipse
This is the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The path of totality sweeps across Greenland and Iceland before making landfall in northern Spain in the early evening.
Maximum totality lasts around two minutes and eighteen seconds. Observers outside the path will see a partial eclipse across most of Europe, North Africa and North America.
Tags
- Eclipse
- Astronomy
- Europe
- Totality
Frequently asked questions
The eclipse occurs on 12 August 2026, with greatest eclipse at approximately 17:46 UTC.
The path of totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. A partial eclipse is visible across Europe, North Africa and parts of North America.
Maximum duration of totality is roughly two minutes and eighteen seconds.
Only during the brief period of complete totality. At all other times certified eclipse glasses are essential — ordinary sunglasses are not safe.
A further total eclipse crosses southern Spain on 2 August 2027, with a notably longer period of totality.
