The only total solar eclipse of 2026 is happening today, 12 August, as the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow across the Northern Hemisphere.
The main path of totality will stretch through Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small part of Portugal.For people standing inside that narrow path, the Moon will completely cover the Sun for a few precious minutes, turning daytime skies dark and revealing the Sun’s normally hidden outer atmosphere, the corona.
The event is especially significant for Europe because it is the continent’s first total solar eclipse on mainland territory since 1999.Where will today’s total solar eclipse be visibleTotality will follow a relatively narrow corridor beginning in the Arctic before moving across Greenland and Iceland, then towards Spain and Portugal.
Northern Spain will be among the most accessible locations in mainland Europe for experiencing totality.Outside the path of totality, millions more people will still see a partial solar eclipse.
Across much of Europe, the Moon will cover most but not all of the Sun.
