Watch LIVE: Total solar eclipse begins as Sun and Moon align in rare event

The only total solar eclipse of 2026 is taking place today, August 12. Check eclipse timings, visibility, live streams and how Indians can watch itParts of the world will experience a total solar eclipse, providing an opportunity for scientific research. (Photo: PTI)The first and only total solar eclipse of 2026 is taking place today, August 12, turning parts of the Northern Hemisphere dark as the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun.The spectacular event will be visible in totality from parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small corner of Portugal.WATCH THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE LIVE HERE: Additionally, Nasa's live coverage of the event will begin at 10:45 pm IST, with telescope views, expert commentary and footage from a Nasa WB-57 research aircraft flying high above the eclipse path.WHAT TIME IS THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?The eclipse will begin globally at about 9:05 pm IST, although the first stages will occur over regions where it is daytime. The Moon's shadow will then sweep across the Earth, with totality, which is the brief period when the Moon completely covers the Sun, beginning at different times depending on location.The greatest eclipse will occur at about 11:16 pm IST and the entire eclipse will end at around 1:29 am IST on August 13. For observers in the path of totality, the spectacular darkening will last only a few minutes at most. The longest totality, near the centre of the eclipse path, will last about 2 minutes 18 seconds.HOW TO WATCH TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN INDIA?India will not see the August 12 total solar eclipse because the event takes place during India's nighttime and the country lies outside the eclipse's visibility zone.That makes livestreams particularly important for Indian skywatchers.Nasa's broadcast will bring views from locations along the eclipse path, while the European Space Agency (ESA) will also broadcast from Spain from 11 pm IST.ESA's coverage will include telescope feeds, expert explainers and views from several locations in the path of totality. The eclipse is especially significant for Europe as it is the first total solar eclipse visible from parts of central and western mainland Europe since 1999, giving millions of people another chance to experience one of nature's rare astronomical events.WHY IS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE SPECIAL?A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves precisely between Earth and the Sun and completely blocks the Sun's bright disc.For a few brief moments, the normally invisible outer atmosphere of the Sun, called the corona, becomes visible.This makes total eclipses valuable not just for skywatchers but also for scientists studying the Sun.The celestial show may last only minutes, but the observations gathered during those minutes can help scientists better understand the Sun and its influence on Earth.- EndsPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 21:29 IST