Europe Awaits a Total Solar Eclipse on 12 August 2026; Ukraine Will Only Catch Part of It

A Rare Celestial Event: 12 August 2026

According to Radiotrek — Світ: On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will cross parts of Europe, offering one of nature's most dramatic skywatching moments. The full phase will be visible from Iceland, Spain, portions of Portugal, and Greenland; Ukraine, however, lies outside this path of totality, so observers there will see only a partial eclipse.

What to Expect

The band of totality will move across the North Atlantic, then pass over Iceland, part of Portugal, Spain, and Greenland. Reuters reports that Reykjavik can expect totality at roughly 17:48 local time, while in the Spanish cities of A Coruña and Bilbao, totality will arrive near 20:28 local time. For skywatchers in Ukraine, the partial phase begins around 20:10 Kyiv time and ends about 20:53.

• In Lviv, maximum eclipse occurs around 20:43, with roughly 40% of the Sun covered.
• Ternopil sees its maximum around 20:36, with more than 26% covered.
• Uzhhorod peaks at 20:47, with more than 43% coverage.
• Khmelnytskyi reaches maximum around 20:31, with over 16% coverage.
• Kyiv's maximum, at about 20:18, will have only around 3% coverage.

A total eclipse is especially prized because the solar corona becomes visible when the Moon fully blocks the Sun. Safety remains critical: except for the brief period of totality for those inside the path, looking directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection is dangerous. The Guardian and BBC Sky at Night Magazine have covered the eclipse's route and viewing conditions.

For astronomers, the event offers a valuable chance to study the corona and other signs of solar activity. It also tends to boost public interest in astronomy, and many people are already planning trips to places where totality will be visible, giving tourism in those regions a lift.

As the anticipation builds for this celestial phenomenon, many are eager to learn more about its trajectory and visibility. For a deeper understanding of how this total solar eclipse will uniquely impact various regions in Europe, explore our detailed coverage on the upcoming event discussing the implications for skywatchers.