A total solar eclipse will sweep across Europe on 12 August 2026, and the European Space Agency (ESA) is inviting the world to watch it live from home. The broadcast, starting at 19:30 CEST, will capture the moment the Moon completely hides the Sun, plunging a narrow strip of Spain into daytime darkness. For those outside the path of totality, this is the next best thing to being there.
A Rare Celestial Show Over Spain
The eclipse will trace a path across Greenland, Iceland, a slice of northeastern Portugal, and finally Spain, where viewing conditions are expected to be excellent. In other parts of Europe, observers will see a partial eclipse, where the Moon takes a bite out of the Sun, dimming its light slightly. The total phase, when the Sun's dazzling disc is fully covered, will last just 1 minute and 21 seconds at the broadcast location, the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre in Teruel, Spain.
What to Expect from the Livestream
ESA's live broadcast will feature award-winning space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin, alongside ESA's Director of Science Professor Carole Mundell and other experts. Through interviews and telescope feeds, viewers will learn about the Sun's corona, how a historic eclipse changed our understanding of gravity, and how ESA is creating artificial solar eclipses in space. The highlight will be the moment of totality at 20:31 CEST, with drone shots and live reactions from the hosts.
Viewers can send questions using #AskESA on Bluesky or X, and a selection will be answered during the show. The broadcast, presented in English, will run until about 20:45 CEST on ESA Web TV and YouTube.
For locals in Spain, the eclipse is a major event, drawing attention to the country's clear skies and astronomical facilities. The event also offers a rare chance for scientists and the public to witness the Sun's wispy atmosphere, see stars appear in the daytime, and feel the temperature drop as the Moon's shadow passes. This eclipse is not just a spectacle; it's a reminder of the precise mechanics of our solar system, and ESA's broadcast ensures that no one has to miss it, regardless of where they are on the globe.
