Total Solar Eclipse and Perseids Meteor Shower on August 12: What to Know

The August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse will be visible from continental Europe for the first time since 1999, coinciding with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower to create a rare double astronomical event.

August 12, 2026 Total Solar Eclipse Visibility and Path

According to data provided by NASA and reported by Rai News, the total solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, will cross the Arctic and Spain, while also impacting parts of Italy. The celestial phenomenon begins when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow across a narrow path of the planet. The totality phase lasts up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds, with the path of totality measuring roughly 294 kilometers wide as the Sun sits nearly 26 degrees above the horizon, according to LaPresse and Rai News.

The eclipse becomes total across northern Siberia near the North Pole, travels through the Arctic and North Atlantic, and then passes over Iceland and Spain. Iceland experiences its first total solar eclipse in over 70 years, sparking a tourism surge that has left many Reykjavik hotels fully booked since early 2025, per Rai News. In France, preparation has sparked public debate over eyewear pricing compared to free distributions during the 1999 eclipse, though Paris retailers maintain prices between 3 and 5 euros per pair, according to Rai News coverage.

Partial Eclipse Views Across Italy

In Italy, the event appears as a partial eclipse, with the peak occurring during the evening hours.

The best viewing conditions in Italy concentrate in northwestern and island regions. Liguria, Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, Lombardy, and Sardinia see solar disc coverage exceeding 90%. It is strongly recommended to use certified solar eclipse glasses. Without proper eye protection, fixing the gaze directly on the Sun could damage the sight, according to LaPresse warnings.

In Spain, the government distributed two million free certified glasses through the ONCE Social Group, though high demand drove online searches up by 619% and left local optics stores out of stock ahead of the event, according to Rai News.

The Perseid Meteor Shower Peak

As the solar eclipse concludes, the night sky transitions into the Perseid meteor shower. The peak occurs during the night between Wednesday, August 12, and Thursday, August 13, delivering a display of roughly 100 meteors per hour, according to LaPresse and Rai News.

The meteor shower happens as Earth crosses the debris trail left by comet Swift-Tuttle. These debris particles, often no larger than a grain of sand, burn upon hitting the atmosphere to create bright streaks of light. Rai News notes that observers can locate the radiant point by looking north-east between the constellation Perseus and the distinctive W-shape of Cassiopeia. It is advised to move away from urban light pollution and avoid smartphone screens to let eyes adjust to the dark.

Italian Astronomical Events and Cultural Initiatives

Communities across Italy are organizing public events to mark the astronomical convergence. In Capri at Marina Grande, a 500-drone light show titled “La Musa” will illuminate the sky for 12 minutes to highlight local folklore and artistic traditions, according to Rai News. In Manciano, Grosseto—characterized by the clearest skies and lowest light pollution in Italy—an astronomy and music gathering is scheduled for August 12. Additional viewing initiatives run from August 11 to August 13 at the Sant’Apollinare astronomical observatory in the Rovigo province, per Rai News.