Total solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: Eclipse begins as Moon moves across the Sun

Total Solar Eclipse 2026

A total solar eclipse is currently underway, with the Moon moving across the Sun, creating a spectacular celestial event. The eclipse began in northern Siberia near the North Pole and will travel across several regions over the next few hours, passing over Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain before ending around sunset over the Mediterranean Sea.

The total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, while the partial solar eclipse will be visible across northern parts of North America, most of Europe, northwestern Africa, the Arctic Ocean, and the North Atlantic Ocean. The eclipse is especially significant for Europe, as it is the first total solar eclipse visible from parts of central and western mainland Europe since 1999, as reported by indiatoday.in.

For observers in the path of totality, the spectacular darkening will last only a few minutes at most, with the longest totality near the center of the eclipse path lasting about 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The eclipse is not visible from India, as it takes place during India's nighttime, but people can still watch it from home through live streams provided by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and various international astronomical observatories, as stated by indiatvnews.com.

NASA's live coverage of the event began at 10:45 pm IST, with telescope views, expert commentary, and footage from a NASA WB-57 research aircraft flying high above the eclipse path. The ESA's coverage will include telescope feeds, expert explainers, and views from several locations in the path of totality, as mentioned by indiatoday.in.

In addition to the scientific significance of the eclipse, it also holds spiritual importance in some cultures. According to Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, eclipses can make the human system more receptive, and the period can be used for meditation and other spiritual practices, as reported by hindustantimes.com. The foundation suggests creating quiet time and bringing attention to one's breath, body, and thoughts during the eclipse.

In Iceland and Spain, demand for hotels in the path of totality has soared, with Iceland expecting an additional 20,000 overseas visitors during its already busy peak tourism season, as stated by wtva.com. Solar eclipse glasses, necessary for viewing even part of the eclipse, are selling fast, with many markets, department stores, museums, and planetariums across Spain reporting that they have run out of stock.

For those who cannot see the solar eclipse in person, several space agencies are offering free livestreams of the event. NASA's coverage began at 1:15 p.m. ET, while the European Space Agency's official livestream began at 1:30 p.m. ET, as mentioned by wtva.com.

Eclipse Path and Visibility

The total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, while the partial solar eclipse will be visible across northern parts of North America, most of Europe, northwestern Africa, the Arctic Ocean, and the North Atlantic Ocean. The eclipse will begin globally at about 9:05 pm IST and will end at around 1:29 am IST on August 13, as reported by indiatoday.in.

The greatest eclipse will occur at about 11:16 pm IST, and the entire eclipse will end at around 1:29 am IST on August 13. For observers in the path of totality, the spectacular darkening will last only a few minutes at most, with the longest totality near the center of the eclipse path lasting about 2 minutes and 18 seconds, as stated by indiatoday.in.

Spiritual Significance of the Eclipse

According to Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, eclipses can make the human system more receptive, and the period can be used for meditation and other spiritual practices, as reported by hindustantimes.com. The foundation suggests creating quiet time and bringing attention to one's breath, body, and thoughts during the eclipse.

In Yogic traditions, an eclipse is considered a time when natural cycles become particularly significant for one's inner experience. The Isha Foundation's latest message focuses on receptivity, suggesting that one can use the eclipse as an opportunity for meditation rather than simply treating it as a spectacle, as mentioned by hindustantimes.com.

Conclusion

The total solar eclipse of 2026 is a rare and awe-inspiring event, with millions of people around the world waiting to witness it. Whether viewed in person or through a livestream, the eclipse is an opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of the celestial world. As the eclipse unfolds, people can follow live updates and watch the event from home, while also exploring the spiritual significance and cultural practices associated with this rare celestial event.