Total solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — partial view from North Macedonia
Totality will sweep a narrow path across parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain; in North Macedonia the eclipse will be only partial and brief.
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026 the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, producing one of the year’s most striking astronomical events — a total solar eclipse. Observers in North Macedonia should note one important detail: the country lies outside the narrow path of totality.
The track of totality — where the Sun will be completely obscured — crosses parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Only observers located within that slim corridor will experience the brief, dramatic moment of total darkness.
From North Macedonia the eclipse will be visible only as a partial event. According to astronomical calculations, the eclipse will begin in the country at 19:29, with the maximum phase occurring at about 19:35–19:36. In Skopje the Moon will cover roughly 12 percent of the solar disk, and the observable portion of the phenomenon will last only around ten minutes.
How to watch safely
Anyone planning to observe the partial eclipse should use certified solar filters or eclipse glasses and avoid looking at the Sun with the naked eye or through unfiltered optics. Telescopes and binoculars require proper solar filters mounted at the front aperture. If you plan to travel to the path of totality, make arrangements well in advance: the zone of totality is narrow and stays in a given location for only a short time.
For those who cannot travel, local astronomy clubs and planetariums often organise viewing events with safe equipment and expert commentary — a good option for seeing the eclipse without risking eye damage.
Photo: press material from the event
