Stops Along the Path of Totality
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will traverse the Northern Hemisphere, with totality visible in western Iceland and northern Spain. The event follows a narrow path across the Arctic, Greenland, and the North Atlantic before reaching Europe.
The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, will cast a shadow over a limited number of Northern Hemisphere locations, including western Iceland and northern Spain. The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth will produce totality, where the Moon fully obscures the Sun, revealing its corona. The path begins in northern Russia, crosses the Arctic Circle, and moves along Greenland’s eastern edge before reaching Iceland around 5:45 p.m. local time. The Snæfellsnes peninsula, home to the dormant Snæfellsjökull volcano, will experience the greatest eclipse, drawing visitors to the UNESCO biosphere reserve designated in 2025.
From Iceland, the eclipse’s shadow will cross the North Atlantic and arrive in northern Spain shortly before sunset. The path will follow a trajectory similar to the Ebro River, cutting through rugged terrain in Parque Natural de Montes Obarenes-San Zadornil and flowing through La Rioja’s vineyards. The river eventually reaches a Mediterranean delta between Barcelona and Valencia. Satellite data suggests Spain offers a higher probability of clear viewing conditions compared to Iceland, despite both regions lying within the path of totality.
The eclipse will be visible as a partial event across much of Europe, parts of Africa, Canada, and the northern and northeastern United States. While totality is confined to a narrow strip, observers outside this path will still witness a significant portion of the Sun obscured by the Moon. NASA notes that the 2026 event mirrors the 2024 eclipse, which spanned North America, but with fewer land-based viewing opportunities in the Northern Hemisphere.
NASA’s Earth Observatory provided imagery and mapping for the eclipse path, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and eclipse trajectory information from Xavier Jubier. The agency emphasized the event’s scientific value for studying the Sun’s corona and atmospheric conditions during totality. Observers are advised to use proper eye protection, as direct viewing of the Sun without specialized equipment can cause permanent damage.