On August 12, 2026, Portugal and Spain will observe a remarkable astronomical phenomenon: a total eclipse of the Sun. In Portuguese territory, the spectacle will be visible mainly in Trás-os-Montes, with emphasis on small villages in the municipality of Bragança, which will be completely ‘in the dark’, as confirmed by .
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight for a moment. Although it is visible in several places around the world, the path of the so-called “band of totality” is limited and allows the phenomenon to be observed in its entirety only in certain regions.
According to astronomical predictions, in the summer of 2026 the band will pass through areas of Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic, northern Portugal and northern Spain.
What will you see in Portugal
In Portugal, the Trás-os-Montes region will have the privilege of watching the eclipse in private conditions. The towns of Rio de Onor and Guadramil, both in the municipality of Bragança, will be completely ‘in the dark’ for a few seconds.
In the rest of the national territory, the phenomenon will only be observed partially, with a part of the solar disk still illuminated, according to Polígrafo.
Spain will have a broader vision
On the Spanish side, the observation area will be more extensive, especially in the north of the country. The forecast suggests that several Spanish regions will be able to watch the total eclipse for longer, increasing tourist and scientific interest around the event.
Scientific confirmation
The National Solar Observatory, in the United States, is one of the entities that confirmed the occurrence of this eclipse, precisely defining its path. Other European astronomical institutions have confirmed these projections.
Calculations indicate that, in the Iberian Peninsula, the date of August 12, 2026 will be marked as one of the rare moments when it will be possible to observe a total eclipse.
As a curiosity, the last total solar eclipse visible in mainland Portugal occurred more than a century ago, in 1912, which helps explain the expectations surrounding this phenomenon.
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