NASA to study the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland
Iceland will become the centre of international space research in August 2026. Around 40 NASA scientists will travel to the island for the total solar eclipse on 12 August to carry out an extensive research mission. This is the largest project the US space agency has undertaken in Iceland to date.
The mission will utilise a WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft, atmospheric balloons and state-of-the-art scientific measuring equipment. The research aircraft will take off from Keflavík Airport and track the path of the solar eclipse. The aim is to capture high-resolution images of the solar corona. This outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere is not normally visible and can only be observed during a total solar eclipse.
At the same time, weather balloons will be launched to study the effects of the sudden loss of sunlight on the Earth’s atmosphere. The data collected is intended to help improve our understanding of space weather and enable more accurate forecasts of the aurora borealis, as well as the effects of solar activity on satellites, air traffic and electricity grids.
The total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 is one of the most significant astronomical events of the coming years. The Moon’s shadow will pass over the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. In Reykjavík, the total phase will begin at 5.48 pm and last just under a minute. In the Westfjords, observers will even be able to experience the total eclipse for more than two minutes.
During a total solar eclipse, broad daylight is briefly transformed into a twilight-like landscape. Stars and planets become visible, the temperature drops noticeably, and the glowing solar corona appears as a bright ring around the darkened Sun.
The Icelandic Space Agency is coordinating the mission on the ground and regards it as an important step for international cooperation in space research. At the same time, tourism companies are expecting a huge influx of visitors, as astronomers, photographers and solar eclipse enthusiasts from all over the world will be travelling to Iceland.
With this extraordinary research mission and one of the most spectacular natural phenomena of all, Iceland will briefly take centre stage in the scientific world in August 2026.
Would you like to find out more about the total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026? On the The Eclipse App website, you’ll find comprehensive information on the path of the eclipse, the best viewing locations, exact times and helpful tips for planning your own eclipse experience.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal
