NASA Issues Safety Guide for Aug. 12 Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 12, 2026 ^[1], crossing Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and Portugal ^[1].

Safe observation is critical because looking directly at the sun without specialized equipment can cause permanent eye damage. As the event approaches this Wednesday, NASA and astronomy experts said the public should follow strict safety protocols to avoid injury.

For those intending to view the eclipse, officials said to use certified eclipse glasses. These glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard ^[3] and are designed to filter 99.99 percent of sunlight ^[2]. Standard sunglasses or makeshift filters do not provide sufficient protection against solar radiation.

Photography enthusiasts face additional risks when using cameras. Pointing a lens at the sun can damage internal camera sensors and potentially cause blindness if the photographer looks through an optical viewfinder without a solar filter. Experts said to use dedicated solar filters that attach to the front of the lens to block harmful rays.

The path of totality will move across the Atlantic Ocean before reaching the European coast ^[1]. In regions of totality, the moon completely blocks the sun, allowing the solar corona to become visible to the naked eye for a brief period. However, safety glasses must be worn at all other times during the partial phases of the eclipse.

NASA provided a guide to help the public capture the event safely ^[1]. The agency said photographers should prepare their equipment in advance to avoid missing the short window of totality. This includes testing focus and exposure settings on non-solar targets before the event begins.

Observers in Spain and a small corner of Portugal will have a prime vantage point for the final stages of the eclipse's path ^[1]. Local authorities in these regions said they are coordinating with scientists to manage the expected influx of eclipse chasers traveling to the path of totality.