On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, one of the most significant astronomical events of recent years will take place. A Total Solar Eclipse will travel across several parts of the Northern Hemisphere, completely covering the Sun in multiple countries. The event has attracted the attention of both the scientific community and space enthusiasts.
According to the National Geographic Institute (IGN), this phenomenon has been identified by specialists as The Great European Eclipse, as it will be the most significant total solar eclipse observed over continental Europe since 1999.
In addition to its scientific importance, the event will mark a historic milestone for the Iberian Peninsula, as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from the region in more than a century.
Where will the August 2026 Total Solar Eclipse be visible?
The eclipse’s path will begin in the Arctic Ocean, crossing northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East.
According to the IGN, the total phase of the eclipse will be visible at 100% from west to east across Spain, including cities and provinces such as A Coruña, Oviedo, León, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Palma.
In Portugal, totality will be visible in the northeastern part of the country, specifically in Guadramil and Rio de Onor, where darkness will last for several seconds.
The IGN also reported that the total phase will last 2 minutes and 18 seconds, during which the Moon will completely cover the Sun’s disk.
Will the eclipse be visible from Mexico?
For residents of Mexico, the Total Solar Eclipse will not be directly visible. However, those interested will be able to follow the event through NASA’s live broadcast, which will show the complete progression of the eclipse from locations where it will be visible.
Based on Central Mexico Time, the eclipse schedule will be:
- Partial phase begins: 9:34 a.m.
- Total phase: 11:47 a.m.
- Partial phase ends: 1:57 p.m.
NASA’s live stream is expected to begin at 11:15 a.m. (Central Mexico Time), allowing people around the world who are outside the eclipse path to experience the event.
The Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026, is expected to be one of the most anticipated celestial events of the decade because of the breadth of its path and the long interval before another eclipse of similar characteristics will again be visible across several regions of Europe or the Americas.
Source: foxsports
