One of the biggest talking points of summer 2026 is undoubtedly the solar eclipse occurring on August 12.
And which regions will see a total solar eclipse?
While the UK sees a deep partial eclipse shortly before sunset, in Europe the eclipse takes place just minutes before the Sun goes down.
Meanwhile, in North America, some regions will see a small partial eclipse.
Either side of that line, observers will see a partial solar eclipse.
One of the biggest talking points of summer 2026 is undoubtedly the solar eclipse occurring on August 12.
But will you be able to see it from your location? And which regions will see a total solar eclipse?
Read on for our quick guide to this summer's eclipse spectacle.
While the UK sees a deep partial eclipse shortly before sunset, in Europe the eclipse takes place just minutes before the Sun goes down.
Meanwhile, in North America, some regions will see a small partial eclipse.
Northeastern states in the US and southeastern provinces in Canada will see a small partial eclipse between around 1:00–2:30pm EDT.
In the US, Presque Isle in Maine will see a maximum 28% eclipse, reducing to just 10% in New York City and 7% in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Map showing the path of the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse. The path of totality is represented by a dark, thin line. Either side of that line, observers will see a partial solar eclipse. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine / Paul Wootton
In Canada, St John’s in Newfoundland will see a 53% eclipse, reducing to just 18% in Montreal and 8% in Toronto.
In Europe, as in the UK, there will be a deep partial eclipse away from the path of totality, which sweeps Spain from Galicia and Asturias on the Atlantic coast to Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands on the Mediterranean.
Berlin will see 85% and Paris 92%, while Barcelona and Madrid in Spain will see a tantalizing 99%.
Expect photographers to be out in force along the sunset line to see a very deep partially eclipsed sunset from locations including Corsica (96%), Venice (91%) and Vienna (87%), as well as Algiers, the capital of Algeria (98%).
12 August 2026 solar eclipse times for UK cities
City Duration Greatest eclipse Time, greatest eclipse Edinburgh 18:08–20:00 90.7% 19:05pm BST Glasgow 18:08–20:00 91.4% 19:06pm BST Belfast 18:10–20:03 93.1% 19:08pm BST Leeds 18:12–20:03 90.8% 19:09pm BST Manchester 18:13–20:03 91.4% 19:10pm BST Liverpool 18:13–20:04 91.8% 19:10pm BST Sheffield 18:13–20:03 91% 19:10pm BST Birmingham 18:15–20:05 91.8% 19:11pm BST Cardiff 6:16–8:07pm 93.2% 19:13pm BST London 6:17–8:06pm 91.4% 19:13pm BST
12 August 2026 solar eclipse times for North America
Region City State/province Max. Time Eastern Canada Ottawa Ontario 15% 13:42 EDT Montréal Quebec 18% 13:45 EDT Québec City Quebec 24% 13:46 EDT Saint John New Brunswick 28% 14:55 ADT Halifax Nova Scotia 31% 15:00 ADT St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador 53% 15:35 NDT Northeast US New York City New York 9% 13:54 EDT Rochester New York 9% 13:43 EDT Boston Massachusetts 16% 13:55 EDT Burlington Vermont 17% 13:48 EDT Acadia National Park Maine 23% 13:54 EDT Caribou/Presque Isle Maine 29% 13:50 EDT
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