NASA is providing live coverage and conducting scientific experiments during a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 [1].
This event marks the first time since 1999 [3] that the path of totality crosses mainland Europe, offering a rare opportunity to study the Sun's outer atmosphere.
To capture data on the dynamics of the solar corona, NASA is deploying a WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft [3]. The aircraft crew will work alongside a NASA-funded science team to observe the corona from the upper atmosphere, where the air is thinner and observations are clearer.
Beyond the aircraft mission, the agency is supporting the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project. University students are launching scientific balloons from Iceland and Spain to gather atmospheric data during the eclipse [3]. These launches are designed to engage the public in solar science while providing high-quality imagery, and measurements.
For observers in the United States, the event will be visible across various time zones. Live coverage and visibility window for the U.S. begins at 7:34 a.m. Alaska Standard Time [1] and concludes at 2:52 p.m. Eastern Time [1].
While the path of totality focuses on mainland Europe and parts of the U.S., the agency is using the event to provide public education on solar-eclipse science [3]. The combination of aircraft-based observations and ground-based balloon launches allows researchers to analyze the corona from multiple altitudes simultaneously.
“The path of totality crosses mainland Europe for the first time since 1999.”
By combining high-altitude aviation with student-led balloon projects, NASA is maximizing the data yield from a brief celestial alignment. The focus on the corona—the Sun's outermost layer—is critical for understanding solar wind and space weather, which can impact satellite communications and power grids on Earth.
