Overview
- The solar eclipse, which will occur on 12 August 2026, will cast the Moon’s umbral shadow across the North Atlantic into northern and eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands where totality will be visible for brief periods.
- At specific spots in Spain and the Balearics totality will last up to about one minute 49 seconds at most, while most of Europe including Germany will experience a deep partial eclipse with coverage roughly in the mid‑80s to around 90 percent depending on location.
- Because the event in Germany happens near sunset, observers must have an unobstructed view of the west horizon to avoid missing the end of the eclipse and should scout and test viewing sites ahead of time.
- Health authorities and astronomers warn that looking at the partly eclipsed Sun without certified solar‑eclipse glasses or proper solar filters for cameras and telescopes can cause painless, permanent retinal damage, and they recommend projection methods for safe public viewing.
- The eclipse is followed the same night by the Perseid meteor maximum and precedes a partial lunar eclipse on 28 August, which together with high tourist demand in Spanish totality zones makes August unusually active for skywatchers and local services.