The year’s only total solar eclipse will begin its path across the Arctic on August 12, offering a rare spectacle for observers in parts of Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.
Where the eclipse will be visible
The moon’s shadow will first touch land in northern Siberia, near the North Pole, before moving across Greenland, Iceland, and the Atlantic Ocean. It will end at sunset in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northern Spain.
NASA states the total eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, a small area of Portugal, and parts of Russia. A partial eclipse will extend across Europe, Africa, North America, and the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.
In the United States, only Alaska and parts of the East Coast will see a partial eclipse, with the moon covering a small portion of the sun. Coverage will vary by location.
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India will not see any part of the eclipse. The moon’s shadow will remain far north of the subcontinent, so no portion of the sun will be obscured from view there.
Timings for key cities
The eclipse will unfold over several hours, with totality lasting only a few minutes in any single location. Below are the local timings for cities where the total eclipse will be visible, along with the corresponding Indian Standard Time (IST) conversions.
- Reykjavik, Iceland (GMT / UTC+0)
- Partial begins: 4:47 PM
- Totality begins: 5:48 PM
- Totality ends: 5:49 PM
- Partial ends: 6:47 PM
- IST (August 13): Partial begins at 10:17 PM, totality at 11:18 PM, ends at 12:17 AM
- Leon, Spain (CEST / UTC+2)
- Partial begins: 7:32 PM
- Totality begins: 8:28 PM
- Totality ends: 8:30 PM
- Partial ends: 9:22 PM
- IST (August 13): Partial begins at 11:02 PM, totality at 11:58 PM, ends at 12:52 AM
- Zaragoza, Spain (CEST / UTC+2)
- Partial begins: 7:34 PM
- Totality begins: 8:29 PM
- Totality ends: 8:30 PM
- Partial ends: 9:07 PM
- IST (August 13): Partial begins at 11:04 PM, totality at 11:59 PM, ends at 12:37 AM
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain (CEST / UTC+2)
- Partial begins: 7:38 PM
- Totality begins: 8:31 PM
- Totality ends: 8:32 PM
- Partial ends: 8:49 PM
- IST (August 13): Partial begins at 11:08 PM, totality at 12:01 AM, ends at 12:19 AM
- Valencia, Spain (CEST / UTC+2)
- Partial begins: 7:38 PM
- Totality begins: 8:32 PM
- Totality ends: 8:33 PM
- Partial ends: 9:01 PM
- IST (August 13): Partial begins at 11:08 PM, totality at 12:02 AM, ends at 12:31 AM
Observers in these cities will experience a brief window of totality, when the moon fully covers the sun. This moment will plunge the area into temporary darkness, revealing the sun’s corona.
Sutak Kaal and religious observances in India
Hindu tradition marks a sutak kaal as a period of ritual impurity before and during an eclipse. It usually starts 12 hours before the eclipse and ends once the event concludes. During this time, temples close, cooking is avoided, and idols are not touched.
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Since the August 12 eclipse will not be visible in India, no sutak kaal will be observed. Temples will remain open, and daily worship and routines will continue without interruption. Devotees may still choose to meditate, chant, or perform charitable acts, but no religious restrictions apply.
NASA has issued safety guidelines for those in areas where the eclipse is visible. Viewers must use certified eclipse glasses or a solar viewer—regular sunglasses are not enough. Binoculars, telescopes, or cameras require a proper solar filter placed over the front of the lens.
The eclipse coincides with another celestial event. The Perseid meteor shower will peak the night of August 12 into the early morning of August 13, under a new moon that ensures dark skies. The shower happens annually as Earth passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, creating bright streaks as particles burn up in the atmosphere.
For the best view of the Perseids, look toward the northeast after dark, near the constellation Perseus. Visibility improves after midnight from a dark location with minimal light pollution. Allowing 30 minutes for eyes to adjust to the darkness will enhance the experience.
