On Wednesday, August 12, a total solar eclipse will offer viewers in parts of Europe a rare look at one of nature’s most stunning occurrences, while also providing a novel opportunity for scientists to study our Sun.
Here’s what time the eclipse will occur, where it can be seen, and what you need to know about viewing it if you happen to be in an area where the solar eclipse of August 12 will be visible.
The August 12 Eclipse: A Rare Solar Spectacle
The best viewing locations for today’s eclipse will be in northern Spain and Portugal, as well as some parts of Iceland, which fall right within the path of totality.
According to Time and Date’s Solar Eclipse Map, observers closest to the path of totality in parts of Greenland will begin seeing a partial eclipse by around 3:15 pm local time, with the maximum occurring at around 4:38 pm for viewers along Greenland’s southeastern coast. At around 5:48 pm local time, totality will be visible in western Iceland.
Then, beginning shortly after 6 pm local UK time, some viewers in the British Isles will begin seeing the early signs of the partial eclipse, with relatively good viewing of the event occurring over the course of the next hour. As the eclipse makes its way directly over Spain, viewers in the northern part of the country can expect the partial eclipse to begin shortly after 7:32 pm local time along the country’s northwestern coast, with good visibility of the solar eclipse throughout the country and its neighbors in Portugal and France.
While parts of Europe will have the best views, partial eclipses will be visible as far west as the northeastern United States and Canada, and as far east as Scandinavia and the westernmost edge of Russia, as well as parts of northwestern Africa.
Keep in mind that many of the times provided here are approximate, and to be sure about the exact times the solar eclipse of August 12 will be visible where you are, use Time and Date’s Solar Eclipse Map for a detailed look at the eclipse path and other useful information.
Safety Tips for Viewing the Solar Eclipse Today
Safety when viewing a solar eclipse is always of key importance. When viewing a solar eclipse, always be sure that you are wearing certified eclipse glasses or that you use a handheld solar viewer to prevent permanent damage to your vision.
Even looking directly at the Sun for a very short period can have harmful effects, and eclipse viewers are advised to take every precaution when observing the Sun for any length of time. Only do so using certified equipment to ensure proper eye protection can be maintained at all times.
What if the Solar Eclipse Can’t Be Seen Where You Are?
If you’re located outside the path where the eclipse can be seen, there are several ways you can still see today’s event.
The European Space Agency’s livestream of the event will feature cameras located at Spain’s Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre in Teruel, which will offer an excellent view, as well as a safe way to see the eclipse today once it reaches totality.
NASA will also be hosting a live broadcast beginning at about 1:15 pm Eastern Time, which you can find below:
When Will the Next Eclipse be Occurring?
If you won’t be able to see the August 12 solar eclipse, there will still be opportunities to see eclipses in the near future. Between August 27 and 28, a partial lunar eclipse will also take place that viewers in North and South America, Europe, and Africa will be able to see.
Then early next year, an annular solar eclipse will occur on February 6, 2027, which will be visible in parts of Africa, South America, and other regions. Then later that month, a penumbral lunar eclipse will occur between February 20 and 21, 2027, which will be visible to nighttime viewers across much of the globe.
You can find additional details on each of these eclipse events, where the best viewing will occur, and what time they will be happening on Time and Date’s eclipse page.
For more information on today’s eclipse over Europe, you can check out NASA’s official eclipse data page for times, dates, and other useful information.
Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. A longtime reporter on science, defense, and technology with a focus on space and astronomy, he can be reached at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow him on X @MicahHanks, and at micahhanks.com.