Total Solar Eclipse to Cross Africa and Parts of Europe and Asia on August 12, 2026
A total solar eclipse will be visible across a swathe of Africa, Europe, and Asia on august 12, 2026, offering a rare opportunity for scientific study and a breathtaking celestial display. The path of totality – where the Moon wholly obscures the Sun – will begin in northern Spain, then arc eastward across Portugal, and into North Africa.
This eclipse is notably notable as it will be widely observable across populated areas, allowing millions to witness the phenomenon firsthand. NASA notes that predicting an eclipse requires complex modeling of the Earth, Moon, and Sun’s orbital geometry and gravitational interactions. The eclipse will be fully visible in countries including spain, Portugal, and a path stretching across Arabia, Yemen and Somalia.
Beyond its visual spectacle, a total solar eclipse provides a unique chance to study the Sun’s solar crown – normally hidden by the Sun’s brightness - and understand the transfer of energy to the solar wind, which can impact Earth-based technologies and astronauts. Scientists also utilize the temporary darkness to investigate the Earth’s atmosphere, observing the effects of solar energy blockage. Preparations are already underway among scientists and eclipse enthusiasts for what is anticipated to be a historic event.
