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This article describes a total solar eclipse that occurred on August 12, 2026, with the Moon's shadow traveling from the Arctic Ocean across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain. A photographer successfully captured one of the first unobstructed views of totality from Greenland's east coast at Rype Fjord, documenting the solar corona and a diamond ring effect as totality began at 17:33:26 UTC. The image was obtained after navigating challenging weather conditions by sea to reach a location with clearing skies along the path of totality.
Why it matters
This documentation provides valuable observational data of solar eclipses, which are important for studying the Sun's outer atmosphere (corona) and validating eclipse path predictions. Successfully capturing eclipse imagery under difficult conditions demonstrates the dedication required for astronomical observation and contributes to public engagement with celestial phenomena.
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Total Solar Eclipse from Greenland
Explanation: On August 12, the Moon’s shadow reached out to touch our fair planet. Beginning in the Arctic Ocean, it swept along a narrow track that led the dark lunar umbra across parts of Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic, Portugal, and northern Spain. And for a moment, denizens of Earth who found themselves with clear skies under the shadow of the Moon could witness a total solar eclipse. After dodging the weather by sea and making a landing along Rype Fjord on the Greenland east coast (at 71.07055N, 27.71252W), this hard-won snapshot was captured at 17:33:26 UTC. That’s near the initial reach of clearing skies along the path of totality, so the image is likely one of the first unobstructed views of the totally eclipsed Sun. Through a break in the clouds, the stunning photo also records one of this eclipse’s transient diamond rings and the magnificent solar corona emerging near the moment totality began.
More spectacular eclipse images: Solar Eclipse of 2026 August 12
Tomorrow’s picture: perhaps a Perseid
| Date | August 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Credit & Copyright: | Aditya Madhavan |
| Authors & editors: | Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Robert Nemiroff, Keighley Rockcliffe |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |
Source: APOD: 2026 August 14 – Total Solar Eclipse from Greenland