New Delhi: The second solar eclipse of 2026 will take place on Wednesday, August 12, bringing a rare total solar eclipse to parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
The Moon will pass directly between the Sun and Earth and will totally obscure the Sun for those in the narrow band of totality.
The eclipse will be total for areas of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, the northern part of Russia, and a small portion of Portugal. A partial solar eclipse will also be seen in much of Europe, parts of North Africa and North America. But the eclipse will not be visible in India, as the event will take place after sunset in India. NASA has announced that India is not in the path of totality.
Solar Eclipse 2026: Date and Time in India
NASA predicts a worldwide eclipse will start on 12 Aug 2017 at 15:34 UTC. The best time to watch the eclipse is around 17:46 UTC. These timings in India are at night.
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Eclipse begins: 9:04 PM IST, August 12
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Totality begins: 10:28 PM IST
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Maximum eclipse: 11:16 PM IST
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Totality ends: 12:04 AM IST, August 13
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Eclipse ends: 1:28 AM IST, August 13
Therefore, the eclipse will not be visible from Indian cities, where the sun will be below the horizon during the eclipse. The maximum eclipse was at about 17:46 UTC, according to NASA’s official estimates.
Will India see the August 12 solar eclipse?
No, India won’t be able to view the total and partial eclipse of the sun on August 12. The path of totality will cross Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small part of Portugal. The partial eclipse will be seen at varying depths in other areas of Europe, Africa and North America.
Where Will the Total Solar Eclipse Be Visible?
The shadow of the Moon will move over the Northern Hemisphere. The totality will be seen in a number of special places, including Iceland and some parts of Spain.
NASA said totality will last less than two and a half minutes for observers on the ground, with the maximum duration reaching about 2 minutes and 18 seconds. NASA-funded teams will also study the eclipse using a high-altitude WB-57 research aircraft and scientific balloons.
How Can Indians Watch Solar Eclipse 2026?
The eclipse will not be visible from India, but the Indian people can watch the eclipse live on the internet through NASA’s coverage as well as that of astronomy organisations.
If you are viewing the eclipse from a place where the eclipse can be seen, you must use proper eye protection during the partial phase of the eclipse. NASA advises using certified solar viewing glasses or safe solar filters. Eclipse viewing requires special eclipse glasses.
