Total solar eclipse to cross Europe on August 12

A rare total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and will be visible from parts of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. During the event, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely obscuring the solar disk for observers located within the narrow path of totality.

This event is particularly significant for Europe, as it marks the first total solar eclipse visible from the European mainland since 1999. Observers within the path of totality will experience a sudden reduction in daylight, a twilight-like sky, and the visibility of the solar corona surrounding the dark silhouette of the Moon. Due to the rarity of the phenomenon, the eclipse is expected to draw thousands of travelers and astronomy enthusiasts to the affected regions to witness the event firsthand.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon interposes itself between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow upon a portion of the planet's surface. While the phenomenon will be localized to the specific track of the shadow, it represents one of the most significant astronomical events in recent years for the continent.