by On August 12, 2026, a total suninian will sweep over the earth’s surface. At sunrise it will be visible in the far north of Siberia in Russia. The “path of entirety” then crosses Greenland, Iceland and Northern Spain (plus a tiny corner of Portugal).
Only a small part of humanity has ever experienced a total solar eclipse – but the Spanish intersection will experience millions at many seductive locations at the height of the tourist season.
Here is everything you need to know why you experience this phenomenon – and where to be to make the best of experience.
What happens during a total solar eclipse?
The world’s biggest show comes with the friendly approval of the lifeless moon. Usually the all -round lump of moon only supplies the earth with tides, moonlight and a place where space missiles aim. But about once a year, the natural satellite is aligned with the sun and, thanks to a geometric miracle, excludes the hub of the solar system to create a total solar eclipse.
“Although the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it is also about 400 times closer to the earth than the sun,” says NASA. “This means that the moon and the sun seem to be about the same size from the earth from the earth in the sky.”
A narrow band that marks the “path of entirety” cuts an arch of the dark over the surface of our planet. If you are somewhere in this line at the predicted time and have a clear sky, experience becomes a lifelong storage.
The closer they are in the middle of the way of the whole, the longer the overall eclipse takes. The longest whole in 2026 will be in the high northern Iceland.
What is so good at seeing a solar eclipse?
In the days before the solar eclipse, places on the way of the whole acquire a kind of carnival atmosphere, while astronomical tourists come together with excited anticipation.
On this day, the cosmological performance begins with a warming up of more than an hour in which the moon steadily takes away the sun’s surface.
Suddenly you experience totality. The stars and planets appear in the middle of the day. The air cooling.
In order to testify the heavenly fit between our two familiar heavenly bodies, weak diamonds, who are known as Baily’s pearls, look behind the moon. They actually comprise the light of the sun that slips through moon valleys.
A sight to see – as long as you can see how the moon can put the sun out and the mathematical perfection of nature in our corner of the galaxy can appreciate.
Darkness is completely predictable: we know the stripes that paint the next dozen on the earth’s surface. But the weather is not. The cloud cover, which spurned the Eclipse in Cornwall in 1999, puts a cosmological miracle down to an eerie darkness a day.
Almost as predictable as the solar eclipse is that the traffic that aims at the way in Spain will be strong on the morning of August 12, 2026 – and that the accommodation rates will increase to astronomical level.
Where will the great European solar eclipse in 2026 be visible in Spain?
The strip of darkness will cross the big cities of Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia on Spain on the mainland before arriving in Palma de Mallorca.
Where should I be for the best experience?
The weather prospects for the Mediterranean locations are better than for Atlantic Pania, but the area around Zaragoza is probably the best.
There are no guarantees for a clear sky: All you can do is to play the chances on the basis of the recording of the cloud cover for the corresponding date in previous years.
In 2024, during the Great North American Eclipse, all predictions went out of the heavenly window: Montreal in Canada, which was considered a star of the low-liikelihood due to the usually cloudy sky in April, the star of the show suddenly became.
Any alternative to land?
Yes, a number of cruise discs ensure that their ships are on the way of the whole during the Eclipse – mainly between Spain and Mallorca. You will have a certain flexibility according to the weather forecasts.
Do I need a special solar eclipse?
Yes. The US National Solar Observatory says: “During all, you can view the sun without proper eye protection like solar glasses. In all other phases of the solar eclipse, you should only look at the sun when your eyes are protected.” Eclipse Viewing glasses will be widespread at the most important locations in the totality line
I will be in Spain (or Portugal) anyway – will I see a partially solar eclipse without having to move?
The spectators in large parts of the Iberian Peninsula and France, when the sky is clear, will experience a partially solar eclipse. But there is nothing to compare with a total solar eclipse.
The astronomer, Dr. John Mason, who led the dozens of solar eclipse (and will do this again in 2026), summarizes the difference between a partial solar eclipse of 99 percent and a total eclipse, which is removed until a “purchase on the cheek and one night”.
You have to use special ECLIPSE safety glasses or spectators if you look at a partial solar eclipse – organize them in advance.
When are the next solo starry?
The following summer (August 2, 2027) is the southern tip of the mainland Spain on the way of the whole for a solar eclipse that will sweep through North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Almost 12 months later, on July 22, 2028, Outback Australia will be the right place. A total solar eclipse is landed in Northwestern Australia, sweep over the northern territory and part of Southwest Queensland – and then in New South Wales, with Sydney in the middle of the way.
The winter cloud ceiling could disturb the experience in Australia’s largest city – and is very likely in the southern part of New Zealand’s South Island, where the solar eclipse reaches a final.
Australia also has in the cosmological plans on November 25, 2030. This is the early summer in the southern hemisphere, and there are probably good conditions for consideration in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Durban is on the way of the whole) and in South Australia.
