A total solar eclipse occurred on Aug. 12, 2026 [3], as the Moon passed directly between the Earth and the Sun [1].
This event provided a rare opportunity for scientists and the public to observe the solar corona and study the effects of sudden darkness on the environment.
NASA tracked the progression of the eclipse, which was visible across a wide geographic corridor. The path of totality included Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a small zone of Portugal [4]. While some reports omitted Portugal, other data confirmed its inclusion in the total eclipse path [4].
In Colombia, the event was observable as a partial eclipse. The partial phase began around 10:35 a.m. Colombia time [1], with the peak of totality occurring around 12:47 p.m. Colombia time [1].
Observers in Spain, including those in the Aragón region, followed safety guidelines to view the phenomenon. The period of totality, where the Sun was completely obscured, lasted for a few minutes [6].
NASA provided live transmissions of the event to allow global audiences to witness the alignment. The agency had previously published maps and the projected path to help residents in the affected countries prepare for the blackout.
“The path of totality included Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a small zone of Portugal.”
Total solar eclipses are critical for solar physics, allowing researchers to observe the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, which is normally hidden by the bright solar disk. Because the path of totality is narrow and infrequent for any single location, these events drive significant temporary tourism and provide localized data on animal behavior and atmospheric temperature drops.
