Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: Rare total solar eclipse today, here's when and where to watch the celestial event

Solar eclipse 2026 live updates: An eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a narrow shadow over parts of our planet.Solar eclipse 2026 live updates: Daylight will briefly give way to darkness on Wednesday as the Moon will completely cover the Sun, causing a rare total solar eclipse. The eclipse will be seen either partially or in totality from several regions, including Europe, Greenland, Iceland, northwestern Africa and parts of the United States.Solar eclipse 2026 timing in India The eclipse will take place at night in India, so it will not be visible from the country. As per the Indian Standard Time, the event will occur between the evening of August 12 and the early hours of August 13. It is expected to begin at around 9:04 pm IST. What is an eclipse? An eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a narrow shadow over parts of our planet. During a total solar eclipse, daylight can briefly turn into twilight. Temperatures may fall, shadows can take on unusual shapes, and some animals may behave as if night has arrived. Where will it be visible? On August 12, the total eclipse will first be visible from a remote area in northern Russia. The “path of totality”, as it is known, will then pass over Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal. In Spain, the path will broadly stretch from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca. How long will it last? In Spain, the total eclipse will be visible for less than two minutes shortly before sunset. It will continue for slightly longer in some parts of Russia and Greenland, although the total duration will remain under two-and-a-half minutes. Partial phases of the eclipse, which occur as the Moon begins to move across the Sun and then moves away, will last around one hour and 45 minutes. Why the celestial event is rare One or two solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth each year. However, because the path of totality covers only a narrow area, the same location may have to wait around 400 years for another total eclipse. On August 2, 2027, another total solar eclipse will pass across southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Totality during that eclipse will last six minutes and 23 seconds. A longer total solar eclipse will not occur until 2114. ...Read MoreSolar eclipse 2026 timing in India The eclipse will take place at night in India, so it will not be visible from the country. As per the Indian Standard Time, the event will occur between the evening of August 12 and the early hours of August 13. It is expected to begin at around 9:04 pm IST. What is an eclipse? An eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a narrow shadow over parts of our planet. During a total solar eclipse, daylight can briefly turn into twilight. Temperatures may fall, shadows can take on unusual shapes, and some animals may behave as if night has arrived. Where will it be visible? On August 12, the total eclipse will first be visible from a remote area in northern Russia. The “path of totality”, as it is known, will then pass over Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal. In Spain, the path will broadly stretch from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca. How long will it last? In Spain, the total eclipse will be visible for less than two minutes shortly before sunset. It will continue for slightly longer in some parts of Russia and Greenland, although the total duration will remain under two-and-a-half minutes. Partial phases of the eclipse, which occur as the Moon begins to move across the Sun and then moves away, will last around one hour and 45 minutes. Why the celestial event is rare One or two solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth each year. However, because the path of totality covers only a narrow area, the same location may have to wait around 400 years for another total eclipse. On August 2, 2027, another total solar eclipse will pass across southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Totality during that eclipse will last six minutes and 23 seconds. A longer total solar eclipse will not occur until 2114. Follow all the updates here:Aug 12, 2026, 09:32:04 ISTSolar eclipse 2026 LIVE: Where can solar eclipse be seen?Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: On August 12, a remote region of northern Russia will be the first place to witness the total solar eclipse, news agency AFP reported. The eclipse’s “path of totality” will then pass over Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal.In Spain, the path will stretch roughly from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca.The eclipse will also pass over parts of Spain that have been devastated by wildfires.Aug 12, 2026, 09:21:34 ISTSolar eclipse 2026 LIVE: Do you need protection before seeing the eclipse?Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: It is important not to look directly at the Sun during an eclipse, as doing so can cause serious eye damage.Experts recommend using specially designed eclipse glasses that filter UV rays and meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard, news agency AFP reported.The eyes do not have pain receptors that can alert the brain to injury, meaning damage may only become apparent later.Research has shown that following a total solar eclipse in the United States in 2024, searches for "my eyes hurt" on Google surged.Aug 12, 2026, 09:13:40 ISTSolar eclipse 2026 LIVE: Where will the solar eclipse be visible?Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: On August 12, the total eclipse will first be visible from a remote area in northern Russia.The “path of totality”, as it is known, will then pass over Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal.In Spain, the path will broadly stretch from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca.Aug 12, 2026, 09:10:43 ISTSolar eclipse 2026 LIVE: When will solar eclipse take place in India?Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: It is expected to begin at around 9:04 pm IST and end at 1:27 am on August 13, with the eclipse reaching its peak at 11:16 pm.Since it will take place at night in India, it will not be visible from the country.Aug 12, 2026, 09:05:02 ISTSolar eclipse 2026 LIVE: What is an eclipse?Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: An eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a narrow shadow over parts of our planet.During a total solar eclipse, daylight can briefly turn into twilight. Temperatures may fall, shadows can take on unusual shapes and some animals may behave as if night has arrived.Aug 12, 2026, 08:57:38 ISTSolar eclipse 2026 live updates: Total solar eclipse to take place todaySolar eclipse 2026 live updates: Daylight will briefly give way to darkness on Wednesday as the Moon will completely cover the Sun, causing a rare total solar eclipse.The eclipse will be seen either partially or in totality from several regions, including Europe, Greenland, Iceland, northwestern Africa and parts of the United States.