Impressive partial solar eclipse to be visible across Latvia on August 12

On the evening of August 12, 2026, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across all of Latvia, considered especially notable because at its peak roughly four-fifths of the Sun's diameter will be obscured.

Timing

In Riga, the eclipse will begin at 20:06, reach its maximum phase — with 84% of the Sun's disk covered — around 20:57, and the still-partially-eclipsed Sun will set at 21:11. Because sunset times vary across the country, the Sun's position during the peak phase will also differ by location: in eastern Latvia the maximum will coincide almost exactly with sunset, while in the west there will be about a 20-minute gap between the peak and sunset. The Latvian Astronomical Society (LAB) has published precise timings for different locations on its website.

A rare occurrence

Partial solar eclipses are seen in Latvia roughly once every two to six years — the previous one occurred in March 2025, when only about a fifth of the Sun was covered. On August 12, a partial eclipse will be visible across all of Europe, but in narrow bands over Iceland and Spain it will appear as a total solar eclipse — an event that is extremely rare for any single location. Latvia last witnessed a total eclipse in 1954, and the next one is not expected until 2142. Several dozen Latvian astronomy enthusiasts plan to travel to Spain to observe the total eclipse in person.

Safe viewing

No public observation events are planned, but anyone can choose a spot with a clear view of the sunset. The Astronomical Society warns against looking at the Sun with the naked eye or through binoculars or a telescope without a special filter, as this can cause irreversible eye damage — ordinary sunglasses or CDs are not suitable. The safest method is projecting the Sun's image onto a screen, including through gaps in tree branches or a small hole punched in paper.