A total solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth and completely blocks the Sun along the path of totality. The eclipse will be visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean, while several regions across the Northern Hemisphere will witness a partial eclipse.
However, the August 12 solar eclipse will not be visible from India.
What Time Will The Solar Eclipse Occur On August 12?
According to worldwide eclipse timings converted to Indian Standard Time, the eclipse will begin on the night of August 12 and continue into the early hours of August 13. The key stages are:
• Partial eclipse begins: 9:04 PM on August 12
• Total eclipse begins: 10:28 PM
• Maximum eclipse: 11:16 PM
• Total eclipse ends: 12:04 AM on August 13
• Partial eclipse ends: 1:28 AM on August 13
These are global eclipse-stage timings in IST and do not represent viewing timings for India.
Will The August 12 Solar Eclipse Be Visible In India?
No. The total solar eclipse will not be visible from India. India lies outside the path of totality as well as the wider region where the partial eclipse can be observed. The eclipse will also occur during nighttime in India, when the Sun will be below the horizon.
Where Will The Total Solar Eclipse Be Visible?
The path of totality will pass through parts of northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the North Atlantic, Spain and a small part of northwestern Portugal. Cities including Reykjavík, León, Valencia and Zaragoza will experience totality. In Reykjavík, totality will occur at around 5:48 PM local time, while León and Valencia will experience totality shortly before sunset. The exact duration will vary by location, with totality lasting less than two minutes in most areas.
The August 12 eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe since 1999. During totality, the Moon will completely cover the Sun, briefly turning daylight into twilight and allowing observers to see the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. The UK will not experience totality but will see a major partial eclipse, with more than 90 per cent of the Sun expected to be covered in several areas.
How Can You Watch The Solar Eclipse Safely?
Looking directly at the Sun during the partial phases of an eclipse can cause serious and permanent eye damage. Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing a solar eclipse. People watching the eclipse should use certified eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Cameras, binoculars and telescopes also require specially designed solar filters. These devices should never be used to look at the Sun without the appropriate filter. Those without eclipse glasses can use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector, to observe the eclipse safely.
