Honestly, if you’re stepping outside right now with your cardboard glasses on, you’re going to be waiting a while. A long while.
There is no solar eclipse today, January 15, 2026.
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I know, the internet has a way of making everything feel like it's happening this second, but the celestial mechanics just aren't there today. We are currently in a bit of a "lull" before the big show begins. If you’re looking for the timing of the solar eclipse today, the real answer is that the next major event isn't until next month.
People get this mixed up because 2026 is actually a massive year for astronomy. We're entering what some experts, like those at NASA and the US Naval Observatory, are calling a "Golden Age" of eclipses. But today? Just a regular Thursday.
When is the next solar eclipse actually happening?
The wait isn't forever. Mark your calendars for February 17, 2026. That’s when the moon finally gets back into position to pull off its next disappearing act.
That one is an annular solar eclipse, often called the "Ring of Fire." It’s a bit different from the total eclipses that make the news. Since the moon is a little further away from Earth in its orbit, it doesn't block the sun entirely. You get this incredibly thin, blazing ring of light around the edges.
But here’s the catch: it’s mostly for the penguins. The "annularity" (where you see the ring) is mainly visible from Antarctica. However, if you’re in southern parts of Africa or South America, you’ll catch a partial glimpse.
The big one everyone is waiting for in August
If you were searching for the timing of the solar eclipse today because you’re planning a trip, you’re likely thinking of the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026.
This is the rockstar of eclipses. It’s the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe in decades, and people are already booking out hotels in Spain and Iceland. This isn't just a "maybe see it" event; it’s a "day turns into night" experience.
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Timing for the August 12 event
Because the path of totality is so long, the timing varies wildly. Here is a rough breakdown of when the moon will completely cover the sun in some prime spots:
- Reykjavík, Iceland: Totality hits around 5:48 PM local time. It only lasts about a minute here because the city is near the edge of the path.
- Northern Spain (Oviedo/Burgos): This is the sweet spot. Totality happens around 8:27 PM to 8:30 PM.
- The Balearic Islands (Mallorca): This is going to be cinematic. The eclipse happens right as the sun is setting, around 8:31 PM.
Basically, if you're in Europe, you're looking at a late afternoon or early evening event. In the United States, we’ll only see a partial eclipse during the morning or early afternoon hours, depending on if you're on the East Coast or in Alaska.
Why 2026 is such a weird year for skywatchers
We’ve been spoiled. After the 2024 eclipse that crossed the US, everyone expects these things to happen every few months. In reality, the geometry has to be perfect.
The moon’s orbit is tilted at about a five-degree angle relative to Earth’s orbit around the sun. Most months, the moon's shadow misses us completely—it goes "above" or "below" the Earth. Today is one of those days.
But 2026 is special because we get two solar eclipses and a total lunar eclipse in March. It’s a busy year. It’s just that "busy" in space terms means "every few months," not "every Tuesday."
What you can actually do today
Even though there’s no eclipse today, it’s actually the best time to prep. If you wait until August to buy eclipse glasses, you’ll be paying ten times the price—or worse, buying fake ones that’ll cook your retinas.
- Check your old glasses: If you still have your pair from 2024, check them for scratches. Hold them up to a bright light bulb. If you can see light through any pinholes or scratches, toss them. They’re trash.
- Book your travel now: If you want to be in Spain for the August eclipse, you're already behind. Coastal cities like Gijón and Santander are filling up fast because they have the longest duration of totality (nearly 1 minute and 50 seconds).
- Download an app: Use something like Solar Eclipse Maestro or PhotoPills. They’ll give you the exact second the eclipse starts for your specific GPS coordinates.
Common misconceptions about today's timing
I’ve seen some "news" sites (usually the ones run by bots) claiming there’s a "Blood Moon" or a "Black Sun" happening right now. Don't buy it.
There are also folks who think you can see a partial eclipse every time there's a new moon. Kinda logical, right? But no. Without that perfect alignment, the sun is just... the sun.
If you really want to see something cool tonight, look for Mars. It’s been particularly bright in the evening sky lately. It’s not an eclipse, but it’s better than staring at a sun that refuses to hide.
Summary of upcoming major eclipses
| Date | Type | Best Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2026 | Annular | Antarctica, South Africa |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Total | Iceland, Spain, Greenland |
| Feb 6, 2027 | Annular | South America, Africa |
| Aug 2, 2027 | Total | Egypt (6+ minutes!), Spain |
To get ready for the real events, start looking for ISO 12312-2 certified solar filters now. If you're planning on photographing the August event, you'll need a specialized solar filter for your camera lens too, or you'll melt your sensor.
Your next step is to verify your location against the August 2026 path of totality maps. If you aren't inside the narrow 100-mile-wide band that stretches across Spain and Iceland, you'll only see a partial eclipse, which is nowhere near as cool as the "diamond ring" effect of a total eclipse.