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- The sun will disappear for a few minutes: where you can see the total solar eclipse of 2026
The sun will disappear for a few minutes: where you can see the total solar eclipse of 2026
The total solar eclipse that will occur on August 12, 2026, will attract the attention of astronomers and stargazers around the world. Depending on the region, residents will be able to see the full or partial phase of the rare celestial phenomenon. When the eclipse begins, which countries will pass through the band of the full phase and what safety measures must be observed during the observation — in the Izvestia material.
Total solar eclipse – 2026: when and at what time will it happen
One of the most anticipated astronomical events of 2026 will be the total solar eclipse, which will occur on August 12. It will be the first total solar eclipse over mainland Europe in almost three decades since August 11, 1999. For this reason, astronomers are already calling it one of the main celestial phenomena of the year.
Moscow time, the eclipse will begin on August 12 at about 19:30 Moscow time, and the maximum phase will be at about 20:45-21:00 Moscow time. The global phenomenon will end around 22:30 Moscow time. At the same time, the specific time of observation depends on the region, since the Moon's shadow moves across the Earth's surface from west to east.
It is important to keep in mind that there will not be a full phase for residents of Moscow and most of the European territory of Russia. Only the partial phase of the eclipse will be visible in the capital. According to astronomical services, it will start at about 20:03 Moscow time, reach its maximum at about 20:08, and end at about 20:12-20:14. The moon will cover only a small part of the solar disk, so there will be no noticeable darkening of the sky.
The total phase of the eclipse will also last only a few minutes. At this time, the Moon will completely block the solar disk, making the solar corona visible — the outer atmosphere of the Sun, which cannot be observed under normal conditions. But the conditions for this will not be everywhere.
Astronomers also note that the Perseid meteor shower will reach its maximum activity on the same day. Thus, August 12 will be one of the most eventful dates in 2026.
Where will the total solar eclipse be visible
Only people who are inside the narrow band of the moon's shadow will be able to fully see the eclipse. In Russia, the full phase will be visible only on the Taimyr Peninsula. At the same time, in Murmansk and St. Petersburg, the Moon will cover about 80% of the solar disk, and in Kaliningrad — 85%.
The full-phase route will pass through the east coast of Greenland, the western part of Iceland, then cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach Northern Spain. A small section of the full phase will also affect the northeast of Portugal. After that, the Moon's shadow will pass through the Arctic regions and certain territories of the Russian Far North.
Particularly favorable conditions are expected in Spain. Here, the total eclipse will coincide with the evening time, when the Sun will be low above the horizon. Thanks to this, millions of tourists and photographers will be able to observe an unusual combination of the sunset sky and the total phase of the eclipse. Already, many travel companies are reporting increased interest in trips to the northern regions of the country in August 2026.
In Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and most other European countries, only a partial solar eclipse will be observed.
Why is there a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and completely obscures the sun's disk for observers inside its shadow band.
This phenomenon is possible only during the new moon. However, a new moon occurs every month, and solar eclipses are much rarer. The reason is that the Moon's orbit is tilted by about five degrees relative to the Earth's plane of rotation around the Sun. In most cases, the satellite passes slightly above or below the sun's disk.
Only with a special relative position of the three celestial bodies does the moon's shadow reach the surface of the Earth. Its central part, the umber— forms a relatively narrow strip, usually from 100 to 250 km wide. It is inside it that a total eclipse can be observed. Only a partial phase is visible outside of this zone.
During the full phase, the daytime sky darkens quickly, the air temperature may drop slightly, and the brightest stars and planets become visible. In addition, scientists have repeatedly observed changes in the behavior of animals and birds that react to the sudden onset of darkness in the same way as sunset. Such phenomena have been studied for a long time and are fully explained by a temporary decrease in sunlight.
How to safely observe a solar eclipse
Experts remind that the solar eclipse remains potentially dangerous for vision. Even if most of the Sun is covered by the Moon, it is impossible to look at it with the naked eye.
Only special glasses for solar eclipses or solar filters conforming to the international standard ISO 12312-2 are suitable for safe observation. They let in only a small part of the sunlight and protect the retina from burns.
It is strongly discouraged to use ordinary sunglasses, tinted glass, X-ray films, photographic film, CDs, or homemade filters. They do not trap dangerous infrared and ultraviolet radiation and are unable to prevent vision damage.
When using binoculars, a telescope, or a camera, the solar filter must be positioned in front of the lens. Otherwise, the light flow is magnified many times and can lead not only to damage to the eyes, but also to damage to optical equipment.
The only time when it is allowed to briefly look at the Sun without protection is the total phase of the eclipse. However, this rule applies exclusively to those observers who are located directly inside the band of the full phase. As soon as at least a small area of the solar disk appears, protective equipment must be used again.
What influence is attributed to the solar eclipse and what does science say?
For thousands of years, solar eclipses have been considered unusual and even mystical phenomena. In ancient times, they were associated with omens of wars, change of rulers, natural disasters and other important events.
Modern astrologers also often claim that solar eclipses can affect a person's emotional state, career, financial decisions, and personal life. On eclipse days, some recommend avoiding major purchases, signing important documents, starting new projects, or changing jobs.
However, modern science does not confirm such conclusions. From the point of view of astronomy, a solar eclipse is a completely predictable celestial phenomenon that occurs due to the relative position of the Earth, Moon and Sun. It does not have any special effect on the human body, its psyche or social processes. No scientific work has revealed a link between eclipses and an increase in the number of emergencies, a deterioration in people's well-being, or a change in population behavior.
At the same time, scientists do record a number of short-term physical effects. During the full phase, the air temperature may decrease by several degrees, the speed and direction of the surface wind may change, and the concentration of charged particles in the Earth's ionosphere may decrease. These processes have been repeatedly recorded during previous eclipses and are described in detail in the scientific literature.
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