When is the following whole photo voltaic eclipse? In the event you missed the final one on April 8 in North America, or it gave you the bug, and also you need to see one other, it’s time to begin planning for mainland Europe’s first whole photo voltaic eclipse since 1999.
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a complete photo voltaic eclipse will convey a comparatively brief totality to 4 areas and nations: Siberia in Russia, jap Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain. Because the 5,133 miles (8,260 km) lengthy, as much as 182 miles (293 kilometers) vast path of totality – the shadow of the moon – races throughout Earth, some photogenic landscapes will plunge right into a twilight like no different. Add some seasonal treats, together with the Milky Manner at its brightest, the height of a. Main meteor bathe and the prospect of seeing the aurora borealis, and this could possibly be a unprecedented whole photo voltaic eclipse journey.
Right here’s all the pieces you want to know to plan a visit to {photograph} the following whole photo voltaic eclipse…
Whole photo voltaic eclipse 2026: path of totality
The worldwide path of the whole photo voltaic eclipse on August 12, 2026 passes over components of Iceland, Portugal and Spain (Picture credit score: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS Person Group. Eclipse path by Xavier Jubier)
On August 12, 2026, the moon’s shadow will take an hour and 96 minutes to cross the planet, however from anybody location the utmost size of totality might be 2 minutes 18 seconds.
That time of biggest eclipse might be off the coast of Iceland, so until you’re on a cruise ship in that location—which is able to doubtless be attainable—you’ll need to make do with lower than that. Wherever you’re, the utmost totality will be skilled in case you’re on the centreline of the trail of totality. The length will taper off on the edges.
The essential facet of this eclipse to grasp is the solar’s place. In contrast to the “Nice North American Eclipse” on April 8, totality (from areas probably to be visited by eclipse-chasers) will happen within the afternoon and fairly low within the sky—by no means greater than 26 levels above the horizon, and in lots of locations, lots decrease than that.
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Whole photo voltaic eclipse 2026: Local weather
The Spanish island of Mallorca can have one of the best likelihood of clear skies through the 2026 eclipse – however the solar might be low within the sky which does not assist your odds for a transparent view (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
There are nuances, however the local weather in August is most conducive to clear skies in inland Spain and in direction of the Mediterranean. Based onEclipsophile, one of the best likelihood of clear skies might be on Mallorca and the opposite Balearic islands. Nonetheless, the solar might be completely eclipsed from these areas simply earlier than sundown. It is a potential downside as a result of, in partly cloudy skies, you need the eclipse to be instantly above you, in a niche—and never on the horizon, the place you can be trying by many clouds.
Totality will happen a lot greater within the sky, as seen from Iceland and Greenland, however the likelihood of a transparent sky is way much less there. Nonetheless, there are exceptions, equivalent to Scorebsy Sound in Greenland, due north of Reykjavik, which tends to have clearer climate.
A uncommon likelihood to {photograph} the “golden corona” of a “horizon proximity” whole photo voltaic eclipse or an eclipsed solar with icebergs and mountains within the foreground? Each alternatives include dangers. That’s eclipse-chasing!
Whole photo voltaic eclipse 2026: aurora, meteor showers and the Milky Manner
In the event you head to Iceland or Greenland for the eclipse, additionally, you will have a good likelihood of photographing the Northern Lights on the identical journey (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
While you’re eager about photographing a complete photo voltaic eclipse, all you normally want to focus on is the eclipse itself. Photographers are naturally drawn to lovely landscapes, in fact, however on August 12, 2026, there could also be different astronomical occasions to think about.
In the event you select to go to Greenland or Iceland, the nights are comparatively brief throughout August. Nonetheless, they’re lengthy sufficient to make some views of the aurora borealis attainable. Though it’s tempting to recommend that the northern lights could seem throughout totality itself, it’s doubtless {that a} week spent close to the Arctic Circle will give guests no less than a very good likelihood of seeing them through the night time.
The Perseid meteor bathe will peak on the night time of 2026’s whole photo voltaic eclipse. (Picture credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Getty Photographs)
Alternatively, you can head to Spain, the place the eclipse coincides with the height night time of the annual Perseids meteor bathe. This annual show of as much as 150 “capturing stars” per hour at its peak is extra spectacular at decrease latitudes, with Spain completely positioned. Nonetheless, you’ll need to be away from any gentle air pollution. Use thisinteractive Google Map of the trail of totality and overlay the “night time sky brightness” layer to seek out areas free from gentle air pollution, which could possibly be ultimate for a two-pronged astrophotography journey.
Whole photo voltaic eclipse 2026: photogenic areas
There are tons of of locations the place you possibly can take a digital camera and create lovely pictures of this whole photo voltaic eclipse, from the ice cap of Greenland and the dramatic landscapes of Iceland to Spain’s northern coast, castles, and islands. Right here’s only a pattern of the attainable areas – however do triple-check the sight strains to the eclipse from all areas:
Scoresby Sund, Greenland: totality 24 levels above west-southwest at 4:34 p.m. CGST for 1 minute 45 seconds, with the prospect, later, of the aurora borealis.
Reykenes Peninsula, Iceland: totality 25 levels above west-southwest at 5:48 p.m. GMT for 1 minute 32 seconds, with the prospect of a volcano and, later, the aurora borealis.
Grótta Island Lighthouse, Reykjavik, Iceland: totality 25 levels above west-southwest at 5:48 p.m. GMT for 1 minute 4 seconds, with the prospect, later, of the aurora borealis.
Zaragoza and its magnificent cathedral is only one of numerous photogenic Spanish cities that may see totality (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Zaragoza, Spain: totality six levels above west at 8:28 p.m. CEST for 1 minute 23 seconds, with {a partially} eclipsed sundown quickly after (one thing solely attainable from jap Spain) and, later, the height of the Perseid meteor bathe.
Malvarrosa Seashore, Valencia, Spain: totality 4.5 levels above west at 8:32 p.m. CEST for 1 minute 2 seconds from a significant metropolis, with {a partially} eclipsed sundown ) and, later, the height of the Perseid meteor bathe. .
Mirador de la Trapa, Mallorca, Spain: totality at 3 levels above west at 8:31 p.m. CEST for 1 minute 36 seconds, with a ‘horizon proximity’ totality and, later, the height of the Perseid meteor bathe.
Jamie Carter is the creator of “When Is The Subsequent Eclipse? A Traveler’s Information To Whole Photo voltaic Eclipses 2026-2034,”obtainable on Amazon.
