MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will traverse the Russian Arctic before heading toward Europe. The event is set to commence over remote northern regions of Russia around 17:00 GMT. Roscosmos has reported that the eclipse’s initial phase begins as the Moon’s shadow crosses into the high Arctic. The eclipse pathway then advances across the Arctic Ocean, continues over eastern Greenland and western Iceland, and finally reaches northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal near sunset.
Maximum obscuration will occur over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. According to NASA, the peak totality is expected to last around two minutes and 18 seconds. The central path of totality spans approximately 294 kilometers at that point. During this phase, the Moon will entirely cover the Sun’s luminous surface, revealing the solar corona around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside the core path will witness a partial eclipse instead of full darkness.
The shadow initially reaches northern Russia and then moves westward across the Arctic. It passes through eastern Greenland before crossing over western Iceland and continues into the Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavik falls within the totality zone, though cloud cover may hamper viewing conditions in the Icelandic capital. As the Sun lowers toward the horizon, the eclipse progresses toward the Iberian Peninsula. Northern Spain becomes one of the last major populated areas to experience totality.
Totality moves across the Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurs late in the day, with many locations experiencing totality shortly before sunset. This event marks Spain’s first total solar eclipse in over a century. Citizens across northern and central parts of the country gather to observe the Moon covering the Sun, with the Sun’s low position making the eclipse appear close to the western horizon. Favorable weather conditions in several areas allow viewers to witness the complete phase before daylight returns.
Weather variations along the eclipse path influenced visibility. While clouds and rain limited direct observation in parts of Iceland, including Reykjavík, other areas along the route enjoyed clearer skies. During the partial phases, the Moon only covered a portion of the Sun, leaving daylight intact. These phases lasted longer than totality and covered a broader area. Regions such as Europe, northwestern Africa, and parts of North America experienced varying degrees of partial eclipse coverage.
Final European phase of the eclipse in Spain
Observers outside the totality corridor needed proper solar protection throughout the partial eclipse, using certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters to guard their eyes from direct sunlight. Protection could only be removed during totality when the Moon completely blocked the Sun’s disk. Once the Sun reappeared, safety measures had to be reinstated. This safety protocol applied both before and after totality, including in areas where only a partial eclipse was visible.
As the Moon’s shadow departs Europe after passing over the Iberian Peninsula near sunset, regions including northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal lie along the totality route. Extensive parts of Europe, Africa, and North America will have experienced the partial phases. This eclipse on August 12 follows the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, across North America. In contrast, the 2026 event is centered over the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, connecting distant regions along a continuous path.