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Nearly 1 Billion people to see Aug 12 solar eclipse
Published : Monday, 10 August, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Observer Online Report
Nearly one billion people across the globe are set to witness a partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, while 15 million people will experience a total solar eclipse. Reports Al Jazeera.
Starting at 03:34PM local time, the moon’s shadow will sweep across the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, blocking the sun for up to two minutes and 18 seconds.
Wednesday’s event marks mainland Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999.
Path of Totality
The path of totality - where the moon completely obscures the sun - will cover parts of Spain, Iceland, Greenland, Russia, and Portugal.
Northern and eastern Spain will enjoy prime viewing opportunities, with cities including León, Valladolid, Zaragoza, Teruel, and Valencia located directly inside the path of totality. Totality will begin at approximately (8:27 PM local time) in western Spain and last up to 110 seconds.
Although major cities like Madrid and Barcelona fall just outside the band of totality, observers there will still see over 99 per cent of the sun covered.
Partial Eclipse Coverage
A deep partial eclipse will be visible across Western Europe, Northwestern Africa, and parts of North America.
In Europe, Paris will witness roughly 92 per cent solar coverage, London 91 per cent, and Berlin 85 per cent. For eastern European cities and North African locations like Algiers (98 per cent coverage) and Casablanca (87 per cent coverage), the sun will set before the eclipse reaches its maximum.
In North America, the eclipse will occur during the morning and afternoon. Canada’s St. John’s will see 53 per cent coverage, Montreal 18 per cent, and Toronto 8 per cent.
In the United States, parts of Alaska will see up to 37 per cent coverage, while northeastern Maine will experience 28 per cent, New York 10 per cent, and minimal coverage in the Midwest.
Eclipse Frequency
According to NASA, two to five solar eclipses occur globally each year across four types: partial, total, annular, and hybrid. Total solar eclipses are less frequent, occurring about 66 times a century - roughly once every 18 months.
The next total solar eclipse following this event will take place on August 2, 2027, crossing southern Spain, North Africa, and Yemen.
-SA
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
