Total Solar Eclipse Today: What Time Is The Eclipse On Wednesday, August 12, 2026?
Today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, millions of people across North America, Europe, and the Arctic are positioning themselves to witness a historic total solar eclipse. This spectacular event represents Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999, sending a shadow of totality rushing across Iceland, Greenland, and Spain. If you are wondering what time the eclipse is on Wednesday in your local area, the precise schedules depend heavily on your geographic coordinates.
| Location | Event Stage | Local Time (Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík, Iceland | Totality Begins | 5:44 PM GMT |
| La Coruña, Spain | Totality Begins | 8:27 PM CEST |
| Palma, Spain | Totality (at Sunset) | 8:31 PM CEST |
| New York City, USA | Partial Eclipse Peak | 1:13 PM EDT |
| London, United Kingdom | Partial Eclipse Peak | 7:12 PM BST |
Tracking the Path of Totality Across the Globe
The August 12, 2026 eclipse is a highly unusual celestial event due to its high-latitude trajectory. The path of totality begins in northeastern Siberia, crosses the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole, travels down the eastern coast of Greenland, passes directly over western Iceland, and sweeps across the Atlantic Ocean into northern and eastern Spain.
For observers in western Europe, western Africa, and eastern North America, a deep partial eclipse will be visible. In the United Kingdom, for example, cities like London will see up to 90% of the sun obscured by the moon just before sunset. Meanwhile, skywatchers in northeastern US cities like New York and Boston will experience a minor partial eclipse around midday, requiring careful observation and clear weather.
Local Peak Viewing Times and Live Stream Access
Because the shadow of the moon moves at thousands of miles per hour, timing is critical to catching this rare phenomenon. Below are the key viewing windows and safety tips for Wednesday's event:
- Iceland (Totality): The shadow reaches Iceland's western peninsula around 5:44 PM GMT. Reykjavík is positioned beautifully for over two minutes of complete darkness.
- Spain (Totality): Totality strikes northern Spain at 8:27 PM CEST. Due to the late hour, the sun will be extremely low in the western sky, offering a dramatic sunset totality.
- North America (Partial): Cities on the eastern seaboard of the US and Canada will see partial phases begin around lunchtime, peaking around 1:13 PM EDT.
If you are outside the path of totality or face overcast weather, several scientific organizations are hosting live webcasts. NASA, the Virtual Telescope Project, and Timeanddate.com are broadcasting high-definition feeds from Iceland and Spain starting at 3:30 PM EDT (7:30 PM UTC). Ensure you use ISO-certified eclipse glasses for any direct viewing, as looking at even a partially eclipsed sun can cause permanent eye damage.
What Is The Best Time To View The Lunar Eclipse at Sebastian Williams blog
The Future of Major Solar Events
Today's eclipse kicks off an extraordinary period of astronomical activity over the next few years. Skywatchers won't have to wait long for the next major event, as a highly anticipated total solar eclipse will cross northern Africa, including Egypt and Spain again, on August 2, 2027.
For now, the focus remains on today's historic twilight eclipse in Europe. Scientists are using this opportunity to study the sun’s corona during a period of high solar activity, which promises highly dynamic solar flares and coronal mass ejections during totality. Keep your safety glasses ready, monitor local cloud cover reports, and enjoy this rare celestial alignment.
