NASA urges U.S. viewers to tune into Europe’s rare August 12 total solar eclipse

On August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across sections of Europe, such as Iceland, Greenland, northern Spain, the Balearic Islands and a small area of Portugal, the first occurrence of totality in central and western mainland Europe since 1999. The maximum duration of darkness will be about 2 minutes and 18 seconds, with the Sun’s corona becoming visible. In the United States, the eclipse will be partial, visible in Alaska and 26 other states, while Canada will see a partial view nationwide.

NASA will stream the eclipse starting at 1:15 p.m. EDT, featuring live footage from the path of totality and expert analysis, and the European Space Agency will add its own live segment from Spain. The event also kicks off a series of eclipses, with another total eclipse slated for August 2, 2027, over southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and a third on July 22, 2028, over Australia and New Zealand.