Exceptional solar eclipse expected in August: prepare your glasses!

Europe is set to experience a rare celestial event: the first total solar eclipse since 1999 will occur on August 12, 2026. This spectacular phenomenon, where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, is expected to draw significant public attention, provided the weather cooperates.

The path of totality, the area where the Sun will be fully hidden, will begin in Russia's Taymyr Peninsula. It will then sweep across the Arctic, grazing the North Pole before moving over parts of Greenland and Iceland, including its capital Reykjavik. The eclipse will then cross Spain from west to east, concluding its journey over the Mediterranean Sea south of the Balearic Islands.

In Switzerland, the eclipse will be partially visible. In Lausanne, observers can expect to see the event between 7:26 p.m. and 9:10 p.m., with the maximum obscuration occurring at 8:19 p.m. At its peak in Lausanne, the Moon will cover 92.3% of the Sun's disk. The exact timing and magnitude of the partial eclipse will vary slightly depending on the specific observation location within Switzerland.

The French Astronomy Association (AFA) emphasized the importance of preparing for this event, highlighting the need for proper safety measures. This includes using specialized eclipse glasses to view the Sun safely, as looking directly at it, even during an eclipse, can cause severe eye damage.