Total Solar Eclipse of 12 August 2026
한국어 English
A total solar eclipse crossed a narrow band from the Arctic through eastern Greenland and western Iceland to northern Spain on 12 August 2026. It was the first totality over mainland Spain since 1905 and over Iceland since 1954, and one of the few this century to cross mainland Europe. Maximum duration was 2 minutes 18 seconds.
Verified facts
- The path of totality began in the Arctic and northern Siberia, then crossed eastern Greenland, western Iceland, the North Atlantic, and reached northern Spain and the north-eastern edge of Portugal.
- Maximum duration of totality was 2 minutes 18 seconds (138 seconds), reached near the centre line over the North Atlantic between Greenland and Iceland.
- Greatest eclipse occurred at 17:45:43.7 UT, with the total phase running from 17:01:57.9 UT to 18:30:01.4 UT.
- For mainland Spain this was the first total solar eclipse since 1905, and for Iceland the first since 1954.
Reported, not confirmed
Statements from a single source, or where sources disagree- The eclipse was not visible from Korea; some domestic posts described a '99% partial eclipse in Seoul', which is not supported by the official Korean astronomical guidance reviewed here.
- Spain saw the event late in the day with the Sun low on the horizon, which was reported to affect viewing conditions.
Timeline
- 1905Previous total solar eclipse over mainland Spain.
- 1954Previous total solar eclipse over Iceland.
- 12 Aug 2026, 17:01 UTTotal phase begins.
- 12 Aug 2026, 17:45 UTGreatest eclipse — 2 min 18 s of totality.
- 12 Aug 2026, 18:30 UTTotal phase ends.
Frequently asked
Where was it visible?
Along a narrow band running from the Arctic and northern Siberia across eastern Greenland, western Iceland and the North Atlantic to northern Spain and the north-eastern tip of Portugal. Outside that band observers saw a partial eclipse.
How long did totality last?
Up to 2 minutes 18 seconds at the centre line over the North Atlantic. Duration falls off toward the edges of the path.
Why was this one notable?
Total eclipses are not rare globally, but ones crossing mainland Europe are. This was the first over mainland Spain in 121 years and over Iceland in 72 years.
Was it visible from Korea?
No. Korea lay well outside the visibility zone. Claims circulating domestically about a near-total partial eclipse over Seoul are not supported by the official guidance reviewed here.
Sources
Source titles are kept in their original language- 1 Total Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026 primary
- 2 2026-08-12 (개기일식) primary
- 3 Solar eclipse of August 12, 2026
- 4 개기일식 보고 별똥별까지…12일 밤 우주 이벤트 온다
- 5 Total solar eclipse to dazzle observers on August 12
- 6 Eclipse total de Sol de 12 de agosto de 2026 primary
- 7 August 12, 2026 astronomy events
- 8 "올해 페르세우스 유성우 관측 적기, 내일 밤~모레 새벽"
Official links
- official NASA — 2026년 8월 12일 개기일식
This English edition covers the verified facts and sourced claims. The full document — with sentence-level source references, timeline, FAQ and the complete revision history — is maintained in the Korean edition.