Partial solar eclipse over the Netherlands, 12 August 2026

On Wednesday 12 August 2026 a deep partial solar eclipse is visible across the whole of the Netherlands. The moon slides in front of the sun during the early evening, covering close to 90 percent of it at maximum. Dutch astronomy organisations put the eclipse between roughly 19:17 and 21:03 Central European Summer Time, with the greatest coverage at about 20:11.

This is not a ticketed occasion with a single venue. It happens above the entire country, and anyone with a clear view towards the west can see it from their own street, provided they use proper eye protection. Several universities and observatories are setting up public viewing points on the evening itself.

Timings and how much of the sun is covered

The national astronomy information site Astronomie.nl lists the eclipse as running from 19:17 to 21:03, with maximum coverage at 20:11. The Royal Dutch Association for Weather and Astronomy, the KNVWS, gives 19:16 to 21:03 for Utrecht with the same maximum at 20:11.

Exact moments shift slightly depending on where you stand, which is why the KNVWS links to an eclipse calculator that works out the times for a specific location in the Netherlands.

Published coverage figures differ marginally. The Astronomie.nl news item states that 88 percent of the sun is covered at maximum, while the same site’s activity listing for the day gives 90 percent. The KNVWS also puts the figure at 90 percent of the solar surface for Utrecht. Either way this is a very deep partial eclipse by Dutch standards, but not a total one. For totality you would need to be in Iceland or Spain, where the moon blocks the sun completely.

Why the western horizon decides everything

The single most important practical point is height above the horizon. Because the eclipse happens in the evening, the sun and moon sit fairly low in the west throughout. Astronomie.nl is direct about the consequence: without an unobstructed view towards the western horizon you may simply not see it.

The advice from the official source is to find a raised spot, or at least a position where no buildings or trees sit on the horizon line in that direction. Open polder, a dyke, a beach facing west or an upper floor with a clear westward outlook all work better than a garden hemmed in by housing.

Watching safely

Astronomie.nl gives one unambiguous instruction: never look directly at the sun, and do not use binoculars or a telescope. Even at maximum a slice of the sun stays uncovered, so it remains dangerous to the eye for the entire event.

The method the official source does endorse is a proper pair of eclipse glasses, which is enough to watch the moon take a large bite out of the sun. Astronomie.nl points readers to specialist eclipse glasses suppliers and to local observatories. Sterrenwacht Midden-Nederland asks visitors to its own evening to bring their own pair, and names Walrecht Productions as a place to buy them in advance.

Where astronomers are setting up

Astronomie.nl lists public activities on the evening itself. Several are run by universities and bring telescopes and eclipse glasses out to the public.

• Astronomers from the Anton Pannekoek Institute at the University of Amsterdam are heading into the city with telescopes and eclipse glasses, rather than staying on campus, because the eclipse falls shortly before sunset and the low sun makes campus viewing difficult.
• The University of Groningen is running viewing points across the north, including Vlieland, Terschelling and Ameland, the harbour at Lauwersoog, Zielhoes at Noordpolderzijl, the AG Ems terminal and the roof of Forum Groningen.
• Sterrenwacht Midden-Nederland is holding a ticketed evening at Stoomgemaal Arkemheen, Zeedijk 6 in Nijkerk. Doors open at 18:00, presentations by Rob Walrecht and Arjeh Stofkooper start at 18:30 and the evening closes at 22:00. Entry is 5 euros and the observatory caps attendance at 80 people, with booking through Eventbrite.

The KNVWS is also running a photography competition built around the eclipse.

Why this one is unusual

Eclipses visible from the Netherlands are not rare, but ones this deep are. The last eclipse visible from Dutch soil was in March 2025. According to Astronomie.nl, no partial solar eclipse before 2090 will cover more of the sun as seen from the Netherlands than this one does.

The next partial eclipse after this comes on 2 August 2027, and it is a far more modest event with around 39 percent of the sun covered. A total solar eclipse over the Netherlands is a much longer wait: the next one falls on 7 October 2135.

Common questions

What time does the eclipse start?

Around 19:17 in the evening, with maximum coverage at about 20:11 and the end at roughly 21:03. Times vary a little by location, and the KNVWS links to a calculator for working out local timings.

How much of the sun will be covered?

Between 88 and 90 percent at maximum, depending on the source. The Astronomie.nl news item states 88 percent; its activity listing and the KNVWS both give 90 percent of the solar surface.

Will it go completely dark?

No. The eclipse is only total from Iceland and Spain, where the moon fully covers the sun. From the Netherlands it stays partial throughout.

Can I watch through binoculars or a telescope?

No. Astronomie.nl explicitly rules out binoculars and telescopes, and warns against looking at the sun directly. Use proper eclipse glasses instead.

Is it visible from everywhere in the country?

The eclipse itself is visible across the whole of the Netherlands, but the sun sits low in the west, so a blocked western horizon can hide it from view. A raised or open location makes a real difference.

When is the next one?

A smaller partial eclipse follows on 2 August 2027, covering about 39 percent of the sun. The next total solar eclipse over the Netherlands is on 7 October 2135.