2026 August 12 solar eclipse draws attention across Europe

A total solar eclipse will occur on 12 August 2026, crossing a narrow band of totality through Spain, Iceland and Greenland and producing a near‑total partial eclipse over much of the rest of Europe. In France the Sun will be obscured by more than 90 % in the southwest and about 80 % in Paris, with maximum coverage near 19:46 local time and the event ending around 21:57.

The Paris Observatory warns that safe viewing requires certified eclipse glasses compliant with ISO 12312‑2:2015, stating “Tout autre processus pour observer le soleil est interdit.” Astronomer Alain Cirou highlighted the risk of a shortage, recalling the 1999 eclipse when “un vrai tsunami” of demand left 25 million pairs of glasses insufficient. Alternatives such as grade‑14 or‑16 welding masks are available but harder to source. An interactive map provided by the observatory shows precise timings and obscuration levels for any location, helping the public plan safe observation across the continent.