Total solar eclipse 2026: Where to see the moon completely block the sun in August

It's the only total solar eclipse of the year, and while the best views will be seen in Spain, Iceland and Greenland, a partial eclipse will unfold in the sky over North America.

For the first time in more than two years, the moon will completely block the sun and create a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026.

The eclipse will be centered on a narrow path that crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain and a small part of Portugal. Only people inside that corridor, known as the path of totality, will be able to see the sun fully covered by the moon. Around 15 million people live in the path of totality, according to TimeandDate.com, but people from around the world are expected to travel to see the event.

"For most in the path of totality, the Sun will be fully eclipsed for less than two minutes. For anyone near the very center of the eclipse path in Greenland, Russia, or the North Atlantic, totality will last a little longer (but still less than two and a half minutes)," NASA said.

That is much shorter than the last total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, across North America, when totality lasted more than four minutes in some locations.

In Spain, the eclipse will happen late in the day, just before sunset in some places. Madrid and Barcelona sit just outside the path of totality, so people there will need to travel to see the full eclipse. The path does include the Balearic Islands, where the event will unfold low in the western sky.

Weather conditions are looking favorable for some of the more populated areas of the path of totality, including in Spain and Portugal, where it will be mainly clear on Wednesday afternoon.

The same cannot be said for western Iceland, which is likely to have thick clouds during the brief period of totality. Still, a well-timed break in the clouds could give some spectators a glimpse of the main event if luck is on their side.

Solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower peak on same day

Slooh President Dr. Emma Cain Louden said while this eclipse has a limited viewing area, there is more to be excited about with the Perseid meteor shower peak.

“The Aug. 12 solar eclipse is a special one. In the same 24 hours that we will see the sun darken as the moon passes in front of it and we will see the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most prolific meteor showers every year,” Cain Louden told AccuWeather. “Those in North America will see a partial solar eclipse, looking like the moon took a bite out of the Sun, and then a night of shooting stars.”

Beginning at 1 p.m. EDT, Slooh will host a Star Party on YouTube making the total solar eclipse available to anyone, no matter their location. A few hours later, another Star Party kicks off for the Perseid Meteor Shower.

North America, Europe to see partial eclipse

Areas outside the path of totality will still get a partial solar eclipse, including most of Europe and parts of North America.

In Canada, Alaska, and the midwestern and northeastern United States, people outside may not even notice a difference in the amount of sunlight during the partial solar eclipse, as the moon will take only a small bite out of the sun.

Some planning is still needed to safely view even a partial eclipse, however. Special solar filters or eclipse glasses are required to look at the sun safely.

"During a partial solar eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection," NASA said. "Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard."

People who saved eclipse glasses from 2024 may still be able to use them in August, as long as the glasses were stored properly and do not have scratches, tears or holes. If there is any doubt, it is better to replace them with a new pair, which are inexpensive.

For folks without eclipse glasses, there are still a few simple ways to safely enjoy a partial eclipse.

One of the easiest options is a pasta strainer. When sunlight shines through the small holes during the eclipse, it can cast tiny crescent-shaped images on the ground or another surface.

Tree leaves can create a similar effect. During a partial eclipse, small gaps between leaves can project crescent shapes in the shadows below.

After next month, the next total solar eclipse will happen on Aug. 2, 2027, across northern Africa and part of the Middle East.

That eclipse is already drawing attention because it will be one of the longest total solar eclipses of the century, with the moon blocking the sun for up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds.

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