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Total solar eclipse

Solar eclipse

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Based On 1362 Reviews

Overview

A total solar eclipse is an otherworldly experience. An eerie and magical moment where day briefly becomes night as the sun disappears behind the moon.

Not every eclipse is the same. The duration varies depending on the distance of the moon from earth at the time. For instance, the eclipse on 8 April 2024 lasted nearly four and a half minutes, double the duration of the eclipse in August 2026, which had a maximum totality of about two minutes off the coast of West Iceland.

Location also means that some are more accessible to spectators. Many occur in the middle of oceans or remote places where few will have the chance to witness them. Some, however, occur in populated areas. The 2024 eclipse had a path of totality approximately 115 miles wide running across parts of Mexico and the US. The 2026 total solar eclipse occurred off the coast of East Greenland and over western parts of Iceland and Spain. The next total solar eclipse in 2027 runs through northern Africa, and in 2028 the path of totality sweeps across Australia and New Zealand.

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Where you can see the total solar eclipse in 2028

If visiting the Antipodes is on your wish list, the 22 July 2028 is the date to circle in your calendar. The total eclipse will be visible from north western Australia through the central Outback and directly over Sydney before sweeping across New Zealand’s southern South Island.

The longest period of totality will be in the the Kimberley with Kununurra, Wyndham and Purnululu National Park prime locations. Here, totality is expected to be over five minutes occurring around 11am. In the Northern Territory, the remote Barkly Region lies in the path, before reaching Sydney’s iconic skyline. Imagine day turning to night over the world famous Opera House!

Totality reaches New Zealand later in the afternoon, with Queenstown and Dunedin in the path.

This eclipse occurs over tourist hot spots and off-the-beaten track locations and demand is already high. Start planning your tailor-made adventure and be part this cosmic event Down Under.

 

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The 2026 total eclipse

The 2026 solar eclipse on 12 August ran across parts of East Greenland, west Iceland as well as Russia, Portugal and Spain. This thrilling event, together with the Perseids meteor shower that reached its peak on the same date in a thrilling cosmic coincidence, are a reminder of just how mesmerising the skies above can be. Gazing at a night sky or the colours of a vibrant sunrise or sunset are some of the most life affirming moments.

Though a relatively short period of totality, those viewing from within the path of totality where plunged into darkness, when the face of the sun was completely blocked by the moon.

The previous total eclipse that was visible from Iceland was in 1954… and the next one won’t occur until 2196! However,  the tip of southern Spain falls into the path of totality in 2027.

 

Holiday ideas

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What is a total eclipse?

It’s the perfect alignment of earth, moon and sun. Outside the path of totality, a partial eclipse, whereby the moon seems to cut a slice out of the sun, may also be visible. A total eclipse occurs every 18 months or so.

During an eclipse, the sun’s corona – it’s outer atmosphere – becomes uniquely visible. Usually, the brightness of the sun’s surface effectively obscures the corona so it can’t be seen. Astrophysicists can take the opportunity to study this outer surface, which is the hottest part of the sun.

There are five phases to a solar eclipse: partial eclipse begins; total eclipse begins; totality where only the sun’s corona is visible; total eclipse ends; partial eclipse ends.

A total eclipse can have an effect on the behaviour of wildlife, with nocturnal creatures waking up and daytime counterparts (diurnal wildlife) thinking it’s bedtime.

Stages of a total eclipse

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