EUMETSAT and NOAA Satellites Capture 2026 Total Solar Eclipse From Space
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse traversed Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and parts of Portugal, as documented by satellites from EUMETSAT and NOAA. EUMETSAT's Meteosat-12, positioned in geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the planet, tracked this phenomenon and is set to observe the subsequent total solar eclipse in August 2027. Meanwhile, NOAA's GOES-19 satellite, stationed at the same height, captured video footage of the eclipse's umbra, which measured around 180 miles (290 kilometers) in width. The duration of totality reached up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds, though Station Nord in Greenland experienced a mere 16 seconds. Photographers throughout Europe documented the event. The following total solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, affecting Spain, northern Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Key facts
- Total solar eclipse occurred on August 12, 2026, visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and part of Portugal.
- EUMETSAT's Meteosat-12 satellite captured the eclipse from geostationary orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above Earth.
- Meteosat-12 monitors Europe and northern Africa, positioning it well for the eclipse.
- NOAA's GOES-19 satellite also captured video sequences of the umbra traveling across Europe.
- GOES-19 is a geostationary satellite focused on North America, offering a different perspective.
- The umbra was approximately 180 miles (290 km) wide.
- Totality lasted at most 2 minutes, 18 seconds; in Station Nord, Greenland, it lasted only 16 seconds.
- The next total solar eclipse is on August 2, 2027, passing over Spain, northern Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Entities
Institutions
- EUMETSAT
- NOAA
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Spain
- Portugal
- Europe
- northern Africa
- Station Nord
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen