The 2026 total solar eclipse will cross northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and part of Portugal on Wednesday, with totality lasting about two minutes and 18 seconds at maximum eclipse. The partial eclipse begins at 15:34 GMT, totality first begins at 16:58 GMT and the eclipse reaches its global maximum at 17:46 GMT.
About 15 million people could see the sun disappear completely along the path of totality, while roughly 980 million people may see at least a partial eclipse, depending on weather conditions. NASA will livestream the event from 17:15 GMT.
Where the eclipse will be visible
The path of totality will pass across northern Russia, Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain and a small part of Portugal. In Spain, totality will begin at about 18:27 GMT in the west and last for up to 110 seconds, depending on the location. Leon, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Teruel and Valencia are inside the path; Madrid and Barcelona are just outside it but should still see more than 99 percent coverage.
Most of Europe will see a partial eclipse in the evening, often near sunset. The sun will be about 92 percent covered in Paris, 91 percent in London and 85 percent in Berlin. In many cities farther east, the sun will set before the eclipse reaches its maximum.
Related coverage: August 12 solar eclipse will cross Europe and the Arctic.
The schedule and what happens
The moon’s shadow will move across Earth from the Arctic towards Europe. The total eclipse phase ends globally at 18:34 GMT, while the partial eclipse ends at the last location on Earth at 19:58 GMT. In Reykjavik, maximum eclipse will occur at about 17:48 GMT.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking some or all of the sun’s light. During totality, the moon completely covers the sun for people inside the path, briefly darkening the sky and revealing the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona.
How to watch safely
Looking directly at the sun can cause severe eye injury. Use certified eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer, check them for damage and supervise children. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe, and cameras, binoculars and telescopes require specialised solar filters.
The only time it is safe to look without eclipse glasses is the brief period of totality, when the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face. Eye protection must be put back on as soon as sunlight begins to return. Cameras also need a proper solar filter, which should be removed only during totality and replaced when the first sunlight reappears.
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