The 2026 solar eclipse on August 12 marks the first total eclipse since 2024 and lines up with the Perseid meteor shower. It will be longer than usual because it coincides with lunar perigee, when the moon appears larger. The best views occur in Spain and Iceland, where the path of totality crosses much of the western coast of Iceland and a large swath of northern Spain. In Iceland, the longest totality lasts in Látrabjargi and is visible from Reykjavík, Isafjordur, and other western cities. Spain offers more land and warmer August weather, with cities确如 Bilbao, Burgos, Palma, Santander, Valencia, Valladolid, and Zaragoza all enjoying full coverage, and a small sliver of Portugal’s Montesinho Natural Park also falling in the path.

Other remote locations on Russia and Greenland will see totality, but are difficult to reach. In North America the eclipse will be partial, with coverage ranging from 9% in New York City to 53% in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Safety is paramount—only look directly at the sun during the brief period of totality. Sunglasses or binoculars do not protect your eyes; use certified eclipse glasses or solar viewers instead Aka indirect methods such as a pinhole projector per NASA’s instructions.

Enjoy the event safely and make the most of the rare alignment of eclipse and meteor shower.