August 12, 2026: Total Solar Eclipse Returns to Spain after 121 Years; Iceland Sees Totality after 593 Years
On August 12, 2026, a significant astronomical event swept across much of the Northern Hemisphere as the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow from northern Russia across Greenland, Iceland, the North Atlantic and finally reaching parts of Spain. The entire celestial event lasted approximately 4 hours and 24 minutes, while…
On August 12, 2026, a significant astronomical event swept across much of the Northern Hemisphere as the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow from northern Russia across Greenland, Iceland, the North Atlantic and finally reaching parts of Spain. The entire celestial event lasted approximately 4 hours and 24 minutes, while totality where the Sun was completely obscured lasted just over two minutes in affected locations. The maximum duration of complete darkness reached 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Key points:
This marked the first large-scale total solar eclipse visible in Spain since 1905 — a return after 121 years.
Iceland experienced totality for the first time in 593 years.
Wide areas across Europe, northwest Africa, parts of Canada and the United States saw a partial eclipse.
Northeastern Portugal also observed totality, and most of northern Spain experienced total eclipse while the southern regions saw a partial event.
Scientists and the public alike witnessed the phenomenon, and observers and research teams carried out observations and events at multiple sites.
Experts note that the eclipse was not only a spectacular sight but also an important opportunity for scientific study, especially of the solar corona and related solar phenomena. Like the 1905 eclipse that drew international scientific attention to Spain, the 2026 event holds significant historical and observational value for the region.
