Solar Eclipse 2026: Know the Timing of the Year’s Last Surya Grahan & Whether It Will Be Visible in India

New Delhi: The second and last solar eclipse of the year 2026 will take place on the night of August 12. This is a total solar eclipse, but it will not be visible in India. According to Indian time, the eclipse will start after around 9 pm and its process will continue till late night. Due to eclipse not being visible in India, Sutak period will not be considered valid here. However, people in some parts of the world will be able to witness this rare astronomical phenomenon directly.

What time will the solar eclipse start?

The solar eclipse on August 12 will start at around 9:04 pm Indian time. Its maximum phase is reported to be around 11:16 pm. The eclipse will end at around 1:27 pm. That means its duration from beginning to end will be more than four hours. The actual phase of the total eclipse will be much shorter than this.

Why will the eclipse not be visible in India?

To see a solar eclipse, the Sun must be present in the sky at that time. When this eclipse occurs on the night of 12th August, the sun will have set in India. Therefore this eclipse will not be visible directly from any part of the country. This is the reason why this astronomical phenomenon will not be visible in the sky for the people living in India.

Where can the total solar eclipse be seen?

The path of total solar eclipse will pass through some selected areas of the world. The total eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia and parts of Spain. Its fullness can also be seen in some areas of Portugal. People in many other parts of Europe will see a partial solar eclipse.

Will there be Sutak period in India or not?

There is a tradition of Sutak period in Hindu religion regarding solar eclipse. According to religious beliefs, a certain time before the eclipse is considered Sutak. But this eclipse will not be visible in India, hence Sutak period will not be valid here. This means that there will be no need to keep temples closed or stop normal activities related to worship due to the eclipse. These are religious beliefs, not scientific rules.

Can you watch the solar eclipse sitting at home?

The eclipse will not be directly visible in India, but live telecast of the eclipse in other countries can be seen on the internet. Many astronomical institutions and international platforms do live coverage on such occasions. Through this medium, people sitting in India can also see pictures and videos of the complete solar eclipse.

What things should those watching the eclipse keep in mind?

In the countries where the eclipse will be visible, eye protection will be most important while viewing it. Looking directly at the sun can cause serious damage to the eyes. Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient for this. To view the eclipse, certified solar viewing glasses or appropriate solar filters are used.

Is this the last solar eclipse of 2026?

The first solar eclipse of the year took place in February. The August one is the second and last one of this year. And this is also special because it is a total solar eclipse. Due to it not being visible in India, there will be no special astronomical movement here. But wherever it is visible, it is a big opportunity for scientists and astronomy lovers to see and do research.