Image: NASA
On 12 August 2026, the Moon's shadow will sweep across the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic, and northern Spain, producing the first total solar eclipse visible from Western Europe since 1999. If you are anywhere near the path of totality, this is an event worth planning for now.
By the end of this guide you will know exactly when and where to watch, how to protect your eyes, and what camera settings to use for each phase of the eclipse.
Quick-scan summary
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 August 2026 |
| Type | Total solar eclipse |
| Maximum totality | ~2 min 18 s |
| Key regions | Arctic Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, northern Spain |
| Partial eclipse visible | Most of Europe, North Africa, parts of North America |
| Solar filter required? | Yes — except during totality itself |
Path of totality
The umbral shadow first touches the Earth's surface in Arctic Russia just after 15:00 UTC, then tracks west across the Greenland ice sheet and Iceland before crossing the North Atlantic. It makes landfall again in Spain, crossing through the regions of Galicia, Asturias, León, and Castilla y León before ending at sunset near the Balearic Islands.
Iceland
The path of totality crosses the north-western part of Iceland. Observers in the Westfjords and near Ísafjörður will be well placed. Totality in this region occurs around 17:30–17:40 UTC, with a duration of roughly 1 minute 50 seconds.
Spain
The most accessible viewing location for most European observers. Cities and towns along the path in northern Spain include:
| Location | Totality start (UTC) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A Coruña | ~18:45 UTC | ~1 min 40 s |
| Oviedo | ~18:46 UTC | ~1 min 50 s |
| León | ~18:47 UTC | ~1 min 55 s |
| Palencia | ~18:48 UTC | ~1 min 45 s |
| Burgos | ~18:48 UTC | ~1 min 30 s |
Times are approximate and subject to refinement as orbital elements are updated closer to the event. Always check an authoritative source such as Xavier Jubier's eclipse maps or NASA's eclipse page for precise local circumstances.
Timing overview (UTC)
| Phase | Approximate UTC |
|---|---|
| Penumbral shadow first contacts Earth | ~14:30 |
| Umbral shadow begins (first contact) | ~15:46 |
| Greatest eclipse | ~17:47 |
| Umbral shadow ends (last contact) | ~19:49 |
| Penumbral shadow leaves Earth | ~21:04 |
To convert UTC to local time:
- Iceland is on UTC+0 (no change)
- Spain (peninsula) is on CEST = UTC+2 in August
So totality in northern Spain will be experienced at approximately 20:45–20:50 local time — a dramatic near-sunset eclipse.
Eye safety
You must use certified solar-eclipse glasses or a solar filter for every phase except totality itself. Standard sunglasses, exposed film, or smoked glass are not safe substitutes.
Safety checklist
- ✅ Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses
- ✅ Inspect filters for scratches or pinholes before use
- ✅ Supervise children closely
- ✅ Remove solar filters only during totality (when the diamond ring has ended and the Sun's surface is fully covered)
- ✅ Replace solar filters immediately when the first bright bead of sunlight reappears (third contact)
- ❌ Do not look through an unfiltered camera viewfinder, binoculars, or telescope at any partial phase
For more on safe observation methods, the Royal Observatory Greenwich and NASA Eclipse Safety are reliable sources.
Photography settings by phase
Equipment basics
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera on a sturdy tripod
- A telephoto lens in the 200–600 mm range (or longer with a teleconverter)
- A solar filter that fits over the front of the lens (e.g., Baader AstroSolar film or a glass solar filter)
- A remote shutter release or intervalometer
Partial phases (solar filter ON)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO | 100–200 |
| Aperture | f/8–f/11 |
| Shutter speed | 1/250 s to 1/1000 s |
| Focus | Manual, pre-focused on the solar disc |
| White balance | Daylight |
Bracket your exposures. The correct exposure depends on your filter's density.
Totality (solar filter OFF)
During totality you can safely remove the solar filter. The corona has a huge dynamic range, so bracket widely.
| Target | ISO | Aperture | Shutter speed range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner corona / prominences | 200 | f/8 | 1/1000 s – 1/250 s |
| Mid corona | 200 | f/8 | 1/60 s – 1/4 s |
| Outer corona | 400 | f/5.6 | 1/2 s – 2 s |
| Earthshine on Moon | 800 | f/5.6 | 1 s – 4 s |
Tip: Set up an automatic bracketing sequence before totality so you spend less time adjusting settings and more time experiencing the event.
Diamond ring and Baily's beads
These fleeting moments at second and third contact last only a few seconds. Use a moderate exposure (ISO 200, f/8, 1/500 s) and fire a rapid burst. Put the solar filter back on the instant the bright photosphere reappears.
Planning notes
- Book accommodation early. Northern Spain is already expected to see heavy eclipse tourism.
- Have a backup location. Cloud cover is the biggest risk in August. Inland sites in Castilla y León statistically have clearer skies than the Atlantic coast.
- Practise your sequence. Totality is short — under 2 minutes. Rehearse filter removal, bracketing, and filter replacement so it becomes automatic.
- Enjoy it. Many experienced eclipse chasers recommend watching at least one totality with your own eyes rather than through a viewfinder.
If you use Earth3D or similar visualisation tools, you can simulate the terminator and shadow geometry beforehand to build intuition about the eclipse geometry.