Solar Eclipse Visible Across North America and Europe

A total solar eclipse will darken parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain on Wednesday, August 12. The partial eclipse begins globally at 15:34 GMT, with maximum totality — about two minutes and 18 seconds — occurring around 17:46 GMT.

• 5,157 miles: the path of totality, running from the Arctic to the Balearic Islands.
• 980 million people worldwide may see the sun at least partly covered.
• In Reykjavik, totality begins around 17:48 GMT and lasts roughly one minute.
• In Leon, Spain, totality begins near 18:27 GMT and lasts up to 110 seconds.

Why it matters: For the UK and Europe, this is the deepest eclipse in about 27 years — and the next comparable one is far off. The event will affect hundreds of millions of viewers across multiple continents.

• Up to 95% of the sun will be blocked in Cornwall; London sees roughly 91% coverage.
• Parts of North America see only a partial eclipse: 37% coverage in Fairbanks, Alaska; 9% in New York City.

How 28 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage broadly agrees on the facts; the main difference is emphasis — UK and European outlets focus on local viewing conditions and weather, while US outlets stress global mechanics and North American partial coverage.

What’s next: NASA livestreams the eclipse beginning at 17:15 GMT on Wednesday.

• The next total solar eclipse follows on August 2, 2027, crossing North Africa.
• Cloud cover across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of north Wales may block views — forecasts remain uncertain for those regions.
• How many of the estimated 980 million potential viewers will actually have clear skies is unknown ahead of the event.