Mainland Spain will experience a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, for the first time since 1905. The Moon will move directly between Earth and the Sun, completely covering the solar disk from specific locations. The previous total solar eclipse occurred on April 9, 2024.
The duration of darkness will depend on the observation point. In some areas darkness will last more than two minutes, while in other places it will be limited to a few seconds.
Path of the eclipse shadow
The path where the Sun will be completely covered extends approximately 8,300 kilometers. The shadow will begin in the Arctic Ocean and pass over the North Pole, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and northeastern Portugal.
In Greenland, totality is expected to last a little more than two minutes. In northern Spain, the duration will be much shorter at about 20 seconds because the eclipse will occur near sunset. The shadow will move across Spain from Galicia to the Balearic Islands.
A partial eclipse, during which the Moon covers only part of the solar disk, will be visible across much wider areas. Parts of Europe, Africa, and North America will see the partial phase.
Sky conditions during totality
Daylight will drop abruptly during totality as the Moon shadow covers the observation zone. The sky will darken, the temperature may drop, and the solar corona will appear around the dark Moon. The corona is the Sun outer atmosphere, which is normally invisible because of the bright solar disk.
The brief period of complete coverage distinguishes a total eclipse from a partial one. The European Space Agency described total eclipses as moments of collective wonder, referring to the simultaneous observation of the event by a large number of people.
Future eclipses and viewing safety
The 2026 event begins a rare series for Spain, which will see three total solar eclipses by 2028 after more than 12 decades without one. Spain will see its next total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, when the path of totality passes through southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Future total eclipses for the United States remain further away. Alaska will see a total eclipse in 2033, while the next total eclipse in the mainland United States will occur in 2044. In 2045, the path of totality will cross a large part of the United States from coast to coast.
Observing the Sun requires specialized equipment. Regular sunglasses do not provide necessary protection and must not be used. Viewing requires special eclipse glasses or solar filters meeting safety standards.
The only exception is the brief period of totality when the solar disk is completely covered. Protection must be restored immediately as soon as any part of the Sun reappears. Telescopes, binoculars, and cameras concentrate sunlight and can cause severe damage to eyes or equipment unless used with appropriate solar filters.
