A Celestial Spectacle Captivates the Northern Hemisphere
On August 12, 2026, the Moon passed exactly between Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow over a narrow strip of the planet. The total solar eclipse was fully visible in the Arctic regions of Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northeastern Portugal, northern Spain, and the Balearic Islands. In these areas, total darkness lasted up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds, according to Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN).
In Spain, the path of totality crossed the country from west to east, passing through cities such as A Coruña, Oviedo, León, Bilbao, Burgos, Zaragoza, and Valencia. The moment of maximum darkness in Spanish territory occurred between 20:27 and 20:32 local time (15:27–15:32 in Argentina). The town of Avellanosa de Muñó, in Burgos, was one of the privileged spots, where day turned to night for about two minutes, allowing observers to see the solar corona.
Outside the path of totality, millions of people across much of Europe, northern North America, and northwestern Africa witnessed a partial eclipse. NASA released spectacular images taken from San Millán de los Caballeros, Spain, and from a special Iberia flight that flew over the totality zone.
Spain: A Historic Sequence of Eclipses
The 2026 eclipse marked the beginning of a series of three solar eclipses that will have Spain as a privileged stage in the coming years:
- August 2, 2027: A total solar eclipse, considered one of the longest of the century. Totality will exceed 6 minutes in some locations, and the path will cross southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt (passing over the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings), Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and Yemen.
- January 26, 2028: An annular solar eclipse, creating the characteristic “ring of fire” over the Iberian Peninsula, after crossing much of South America and the Atlantic.
Additionally, on February 6, 2027, an annular solar eclipse will cross southern South America, mainly Chile and Argentina, offering a spectacle visible from the Argentine Patagonia. This will be the next major astronomical event visible from our country.
Upcoming Total Eclipses Around the World
For astronomy travelers, the calendar remains active:
| Date | Type | Visibility Zones |
|---|---|---|
| July 22, 2028 | Total | Australia and New Zealand |
| November 25, 2030 | Total | Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, and Australia |
| March 20, 2034 | Total | Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and China |
| September 2, 2035 | Total | China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan |
| July 13, 2037 | Total | Australia and New Zealand |
| December 26, 2038 | Total | Australia and New Zealand |
In the United States, the next total eclipse will be on March 30, 2033 (visible only in Alaska), and the one crossing the contiguous 48 states coast-to-coast will occur on August 12, 2045.
How to Safely Observe an Eclipse
Experts stress the importance of protecting your eyes. During partial phases, never look directly at the Sun without proper protection. Use eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the international standard ISO 12312-2. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient, and cameras, binoculars, or telescopes must have specific solar filters.
The only exception is the brief phase of totality, when the Moon completely covers the solar disk. At that moment, those inside the path of totality can remove their protection, but must put it back on immediately when the first point of sunlight reappears.
In Argentina, the August 12 eclipse was not visible even partially, but interested viewers could follow it live through online streams. The next major event for the country will be the annular solar eclipse on February 6, 2027, visible in Patagonia.