Solar eclipse August 12: Timings, path and how to watch online

Countdown to totality

The celestial show of the year arrives on August 12, when a total solar eclipse will sweep across a narrow corridor of the Earth. Skywatchers in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa will witness the Moon completely block the Sun, turning day into dusk for a few precious minutes.

For those outside the path of totality, a partial eclipse will still be visible across a much wider region. The exact timing depends entirely on where you are standing, with the Moon's shadow racing across the globe at thousands of kilometres per hour.

When will it hit your location?

In London, the partial eclipse will begin in the late morning, with maximum coverage expected around midday, according to BBC weather and astronomy reports. The capital will see roughly 30-40 per cent of the Sun obscured, a noticeable dimming though far from full darkness.

Further east, cities like Madrid and Rome fall closer to the centreline, offering a more dramatic show. The total phase, where the Sun's corona becomes visible, will last only a couple of minutes in any given spot. Space.com has published a detailed timetable for major cities, but the precise minute depends on your exact longitude and latitude.

For viewers in India, the eclipse will be partially visible in the western and northern regions during the late afternoon. The Sun will set while still partially covered in some eastern areas, so an unobstructed western horizon will be essential for a good view.

NASA's high-altitude chase

NASA is not leaving this event to chance. The agency has dispatched a specialised air mission to intercept the eclipse's shadow, flying aircraft at high altitudes to capture data that ground-based telescopes cannot.

According to The Guardian, the mission will use cameras and spectrometers mounted on the planes to study the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, and to observe the brief 'slam of shadow' that characterises totality. Such airborne observations help scientists understand the Sun's magnetic field and solar wind, which influence space weather around Earth.

This is part of a broader effort to make the most of the eclipse, which is the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe since 1999.

How to watch online and safely

If you are not in the path, or if clouds spoil the view, several live streams will bring the event to your screen. Sky & Telescope magazine has compiled a list of online broadcasts, including feeds from professional observatories and amateur astronomers positioned along the path.

For those watching directly, safety remains paramount. Looking at the Sun without proper protection can cause permanent eye damage. Use certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard, or use a pinhole projector. Regular sunglasses are not safe, and camera lenses, binoculars, or telescopes require special solar filters.

Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of people expected to travel for the eclipse, but tourism boards in Spain and other prime viewing spots have reported a surge in bookings.

What to watch next

After the August 12 eclipse, the next total solar eclipse will occur in 2027, crossing North Africa and the Middle East. For now, all eyes are on the skies—and on the data NASA's planes will bring back. Whether you watch from a rooftop in Madrid or a live stream from your living room, this is one cosmic appointment you will not want to miss.