A rare total solar eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as the Moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking the Sun’s bright disk from view.

The astronomical event will be one of the major sky spectacles of 2026, with the path of totality crossing parts of Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun from Earth’s perspective and completely covers the Sun. During the brief period of totality, the sky can become dramatically darker while the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, becomes visible around the Moon.

The eclipse will begin over northern Russia before moving across the Arctic region and Greenland. It will then travel across the North Atlantic Ocean before reaching Iceland and parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Countries and territories that will experience totality include Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a small part of Portugal.

In Spain, several major cities and areas are positioned along or close to the path of totality, including León, Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia. Northern and central parts of the country are expected to attract large numbers of eclipse watchers.

Only a small northeastern portion of Portugal will experience totality. Other parts of Europe will see the eclipse as a partial solar eclipse, meaning the Moon will cover only part of the Sun.

Nigeria will not experience the total solar eclipse. However, some parts of Nigeria and other areas of Africa may be able to observe a partial eclipse, depending on their location and the time of the event.

For observers in Lagos, the eclipse is expected to begin before evening. Visibility will depend heavily on weather conditions and the position of the Sun near the horizon.

The total phase of the eclipse will be relatively short. Most locations along the path of totality will experience complete darkness for less than two minutes. The longest totality will last approximately two minutes and 18 seconds.

Iceland is expected to be one of the major viewing destinations. In Reykjavík, totality is expected at around 5:48 p.m. local time. Parts of Spain will experience totality later in the evening, with some locations seeing the eclipse close to sunset.

The 2026 eclipse is particularly significant because it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Western Europe since 1999. This is expected to make Spain and Iceland especially popular destinations for astronomers, tourists, photographers and skywatchers.

Scientists will also have an opportunity to observe the Sun’s corona during totality. The corona is normally difficult to see because the intense brightness of the Sun’s surface overwhelms it. During totality, however, the Moon blocks the bright solar disk, allowing the corona to become visible.

Safety remains extremely important during the eclipse. People watching the partial phases must use certified solar eclipse glasses or appropriate solar viewing equipment. Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient protection. Looking directly at the partially eclipsed Sun can cause serious and permanent damage to the eyes.

The August 12 eclipse will be visible in some form across a vast area, allowing hundreds of millions of people to witness at least part of the astronomical event. However, only people located within the narrow path of totality will experience the dramatic moment when the Moon completely covers the Sun.

For Nigerians, the event will not produce the complete darkness associated with totality. Nevertheless, observers in areas where the partial eclipse is visible may still have an opportunity to watch the Moon gradually pass across the face of the Sun.

The August 12, 2026, solar eclipse is therefore expected to be a major astronomical event, particularly for observers in Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Greenland and northern Russia, where the most spectacular views will occur.