Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026: How to Watch, Times & Safety Guide
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The total solar eclipse happens TODAY. Totality sweeps across Greenland, Iceland and Spain — the US and Canada see a partial eclipse.
NASA live stream begins at 1:15 PM EDT at nasa.gov/live. Never look at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses.
The total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026 peaks at 17:46 UTC (1:46 PM EDT). The path of totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and Spain — it does not touch North America. Viewers in the northeastern US (Maine ~19%, Boston 16%, New York City 9.5%) and eastern Canada (Quebec City ~24%, Kuujjuaq 50%+) will see a partial eclipse. Totality lasts up to 2 minutes 18 seconds near the Denmark Strait.
The first total solar eclipse over mainland Europe since 1999 — and the first over Spain since 1905 — will darken skies across the Arctic and the Iberian Peninsula on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. While the Moon's full shadow misses North America, millions of people in the United States and Canada will still catch a partial eclipse.
This year the eclipse shares its day with the Perseid meteor shower peak, and with the Moon in its new phase, the sky will be at its darkest — making it one of the best meteor-watching nights of the year in North America.
What Time Is the Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026?
Here is the verified global timeline for the eclipse (all times UTC, with Eastern time for reference):
| Eclipse Stage | UTC Time | EDT (East Coast) |
|---|---|---|
| Partial eclipse begins | 15:34 | 11:34 AM |
| Total eclipse begins | 16:58 | 12:58 PM |
| Greatest eclipse (max) | 17:46 | 1:46 PM |
| Total eclipse ends | 18:34 | 2:34 PM |
| Partial eclipse ends | 19:57 | 3:57 PM |
In Alaska the eclipse happens in the morning (7:34 AM AKDT start); the further east you go, the closer the eclipse gets to mid-afternoon. Check timeanddate.com for exact times in your city.
Partial Eclipse Visibility in the US & Canada
The eclipse is partial — not total — everywhere in North America. The further north and east you are, the deeper the partial eclipse. Approximate maximum coverage of the Sun's diameter:
| City | Maximum Coverage |
|---|---|
| Alaska (statewide) | Up to ~60% |
| Kuujjuaq, QC | ~50% |
| Quebec City, QC | ~24% |
| Portland, ME | ~19% |
| Boston, MA | ~16% |
| New Haven, CT | ~12% |
| New York City, NY | ~9.5% |
| Washington, DC | ~3.7% |
Path of Totality: Where the Sun Is Fully Blocked
The Moon's shadow begins its sweep along the Arctic coast of Siberia near sunrise, races past the North Pole at 17:06 UTC, hits the Greenland coast at 17:15 UTC and reaches its maximum of 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality over the Denmark Strait at 17:46 UTC. From there it crosses Iceland, Portugal and Spain — with roughly 1 minute 50 seconds of totality in Spain low over the western horizon at sunset — before leaving land on the Balearic Islands at 18:34 UTC.
How to Watch the Eclipse Safely
- 🕶️ Use certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) — regular sunglasses are NOT safe
- 📄 No glasses? Use a pinhole projector — punch a hole in an index card and project the Sun onto the ground or a wall
- 🌳 Tree leaves act as natural pinholes — look at the ground for hundreds of tiny eclipse crescents
- 📸 Never point cameras, binoculars or telescopes at the Sun without a solar filter
- ⚠️ Never look directly at the Sun — even a sliver of eclipse light can permanently damage your eyes
Watch the Eclipse Live Online
If clouds (or your location) block the view, NASA streams the entire eclipse live starting at 1:15 PM EDT on August 12 at nasa.gov/live, with views of totality from Greenland and Europe — including the first mainland European totality in 27 years.
Bonus: The Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks on Eclipse Day
August 12 also marks the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, the most popular meteor shower of the year. Because the eclipse happens on a new Moon, the sky is dark and moon-free — perfect conditions for spotting 50 to 100 meteors per hour. In the US and Canada, watch after midnight between August 12 and 13, away from city lights, looking toward the northeast. 2026 is one of the best Perseid years in recent memory. See our complete Perseid viewing guide for peak times and tips.
When Is the Next Solar Eclipse?
The next total solar eclipse is August 2, 2027, with totality crossing North Africa and the Middle East — one of the longest of the 21st century at up to 6 minutes 23 seconds. For the US, the next total solar eclipse arrives in 2033 in Alaska, followed by the big ones in 2044 and 2045. A partial lunar eclipse follows this event on August 28, 2026, visible from the Americas.
