A total solar eclipse will trace a dramatic arc across the Northern Hemisphere on August 12, 2026, bringing a rare “sunset eclipse” to parts of Europe and Africa. According to cnet.com, the path of totality will hit Iceland, Greenland, the northern half of Spain, and one corner of Portugal.
The Rare Sunset Eclipse Phenomenon
Because Spain is at the tail end of the eclipse, the event will occur late in the day around sunset. This confluence is expected to produce dramatic atmospheric effects, enhanced sunset colors, and a 360-degree twilight surrounding the horizon. Dr. Adam Burgasser, a professor at UC San Diego, described the experience as almost cinematic,
noting that viewers will see the sun and moon meet at the horizon rather than straining to look straight overhead.
Sunset eclipses are uncommon because solar eclipses typically last only a few hours and often occur over oceans or uninhabited areas. In the last 15 years, only a few total eclipses have occurred late enough in the day to coincide with sunset in populated regions. The most recent occurrences include a total sunset eclipse in Chile and Argentina in July 2019 and one in Asia in December 2019.
Viewing Totality and Partial Effects
In Spain, eclipse chasers on the east coast will see the totally eclipsed sun just a few degrees above the western horizon. One specific point of totality in Villalibado, Spain, will experience a total eclipse lasting 1 minute and 44 seconds at 11:29 a.m. Pacific time.
While totality is limited to a few countries, a massive partial solar eclipse will be visible across most of Europe and a sizable portion of northern Africa. A partially eclipsed sunset will be visible in the following regions:
- Europe: Including France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Russia, Finland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In Warsaw, Poland, the sun will be 83% eclipsed at 8:02 p.m. CEST.
- Northwest Africa: Including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mali, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast.
Russia is uniquely positioned as the only country to witness the eclipse at both sunrise—beginning near the uninhabited Taymyr Peninsula—and sunset on the other side of the country.
Global Access and Travel
Several cruise lines, including Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages, are offering voyages for the event. Holland America Line’s Oosterdam will operate a 13-day sailing departing Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 9, visiting Alicante, Spain, before positioning off the Spanish coast. Dr. Burgasser, who will guide passengers on that ship, stated that viewing from the Mediterranean avoids many of the logistical challenges found ashore.
For those unable to travel, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host a livestream watch party in Fleischmann Auditorium from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pacific time, projecting a live feed from a telescope in Villalibado, Spain, provided by the Exploratorium.
North American Visibility
North America is largely removed from the main path of the eclipse. However, cnet.com indicates that states north of a line drawn from Alaska to North Carolina will experience a small amount of the eclipse, with less than 20% coverage. All states south of that line will not see the event.
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