Skywatchers are in for a spectacular celestial event on August 12, 2026, when a total solar eclipse – dubbed the ‘eclipse of the century’ - will be visible along a narrow path through Iceland and Spain.
Observers in Gijón, on the northern coast of Spain, will experience total darkness for one minute and 45 seconds, while those in Mallorca will see the sun fully obscured for about 90 seconds. The eclipse will first be visible on Iceland’s western coast, including the capital, Reykjavik.
Although the UK will not experience totality, the eclipse will still be the most significant the country has witnessed since 1999. Across most of Britain, 89% to 91% of the sun will be covered, transforming the afternoon sky into an eerie twilight. The peak of the eclipse in the UK will occur at 7:13pm BST, when the moon creates a dramatic crescent of sunlight.
For the best viewing experience in the UK, the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall’s coast will provide a near-total eclipse, with 96% coverage, offering the closest experience to totality without traveling abroad.
Astronomers note that this event is part of a rare celestial sequence. Just one year later, on August 2, 2027, another “eclipse of the century” will occur. While most of the UK will see only 42% coverage, regions like North Africa and the British territory of Gibraltar will fall directly in the path of total darkness, making it one of the longest-duration total eclipses in a century.
This summer’s eclipse is expected to attract skywatchers and photographers from across Europe, offering a rare chance to witness one of nature’s most striking phenomena.
