Overview
- Astronomers confirm a total solar eclipse will sweep parts of Europe on 12 August 2026 with the global totality phase running from about 19:00 to 20:30 Central European Summer Time and a maximum near 19:46 over the North Atlantic.
- The Balearic regional government has published detailed crowd controls for 12 August that include time‑restricted closures of roughly 20 road access points and 26 official observation zones to keep traffic moving and allow emergency access.
- Tourism officials report a sharp rise in bookings for locations inside the path of totality and travel operators say the demand surge is already squeezing availability for the August 2027 eclipse.
- Health and astronomy experts warn never to look at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses or proper filters for binoculars and telescopes and note that low sun angle, local horizon blockages and weather will determine whether observers can see the corona.
- The Perseids will peak overnight on 12–13 August under favorable New Moon conditions for dark sites while a nearly total lunar eclipse on 28 August will be hard to observe across much of Germany because the Moon will be low near sunrise.