Traveling in Europe? Don't miss the best show in the sky tonight

A solar eclipse is undoubtedly one of nature's most spectacular and powerful phenomena. This astronomical event occurs when the Moon, in its orbit around the Earth, passes exactly along the line of sight between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow on the Earth's surface.

Tonight, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a rare and particularly exciting event will take place for residents and travelers in Europe. The path of the total eclipse will cross specific areas, providing observers with an extraordinary experience. The main locations that will enjoy total darkness include western Iceland, northern Spain along with the island of Mallorca, and the northeastern tip of Portugal. In these areas, at the peak of the eclipse, the sky will darken, allowing observers to see the glowing solar corona around the black silhouette of the Moon.

Beyond the narrow path of the total eclipse, a much larger area will witness a partial solar eclipse. Travelers and residents in major European cities such as London, Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona will experience a significant partial eclipse, where the Sun will appear as if a large chunk has been "bitten" out of it.

As a reminder, another celestial event expected tonight is the annual meteor shower, with the peak occurring between August 12 and 13.