# August 2026 total solar eclipse observations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/august-2026-total-solar-eclipse-observations
> Updated: 2026-08-08T07:57:34.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

Scientific and amateur observers are preparing for a total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. NASA plans to use a high-altitude WB-57 research aircraft to follow the Moon's shadow, allowing for nearly three minutes of totality to study the Sun's corona, solar wind, and heating via the SAMI high-speed camera system. Additionally, NASA will deploy balloon probes from Iceland and Spain to monitor atmospheric effects.

The eclipse path includes parts of northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and Portugal, while the United States will experience a partial eclipse. This event follows a history of specialized eclipse observation, including past high-speed aircraft missions designed to extend the duration of totality for scientific study.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-08: Eclipse chasers pursue total solar darkness worldwide

Eclipse chasers travel the world to witness total solar eclipses, a pursuit highlighted by historical feats like the Concorde 001's 74-minute supersonic observation of the sun's corona.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eclipse-chasers-pursue-total-solar-darkness-worldwide

### 2026-08-01: NASA plans high‑speed aircraft chase of August 12 solar eclipse

NASA will fly a WB‑57 at 740 km/h to chase the August 12 total solar eclipse, extending corona observations to nearly three minutes, and launch balloons in Iceland and Spain for atmospheric studies.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-plans-highspeed-aircraft-chase-of-august-12-solar-eclipse

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Cite as: August 2026 total solar eclipse observations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/august-2026-total-solar-eclipse-observations