A total solar eclipse is on the horizon. On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, over the Arctic Ocean and western Europe, to be precise.
For astronomy fans, the best views will be found in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. For Canadians, a “bite-sized” partial solar eclipse will be most visible in northern and eastern locations – with a 50 percent solar eclipse visible in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, and a 61 percent eclipse in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Icelanders are particularly excited: this is the first solar eclipse in the capitol of Reykjavik since June 17, 1433!
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s rays from reaching the Earth. The shadow cast by the moon is called the path of totality. For observers within the path of totality in Iceland and Spain, the moon will completely blot out the sun, the sky will darken, and the air will become colder. Outside of the path of totality, observers can potentially see a partial solar eclipse depending on where they are on the globe. NASA provides a list of cities where the eclipse will be visible; the list includes both when the eclipse occurs and how much of the Sun will be obscured.
Remember – a partial solar eclipse is not safe to look at with the naked eye. Use eclipse safety glasses to protect your eyes; or, get crafty and follow NASA’s instructions for creating a pinhole projector. Happy eclipse viewing!
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Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
