solar eclipse 2026 – Artifex.News

Team led by RRI scientists predicts ‘petal-like’ structures in Sun’s corona during eclipse

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:34:00 +0000

As a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Europe on August 12 for the first time since 1999, solar physicists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, along with collaborators, have predicted the magnetic structure of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or its ‘crown’, called the corona, during the eclipse.

On the day of the eclipse, their prediction indicates the presence of multiple large-scale petal-like structures and more local, elongated petals. If this turns out to be true, the Sun’s corona during the August 12 eclipse would be quite complex and spectacular, according to a statement from RRI.

Why study the sun’s corona?

The solar corona is very faint compared to the bright solar surface. It is extremely hard to observe the corona unless an object occults the bright solar disk. This occulting object can be the Moon while passing in front of the Sun, or an artificial disk mounted on a satellite — a coronagraph. Hence, a total solar eclipse, when the Moon occults the Sun, offers the best chance to observe the corona from the ground, and test theories and models.

A file photo of a total solar eclipse seen from Arlington, Texas, on April 8, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
Julio Cortez

These models are essential in understanding the origin of solar storms, solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The eruption of plasma and charged particles from the Sun during these events affects the Earth’s outer atmosphere and its technologies, leading to power outages and disruption of communication and GPS networks. They can damage satellites and harm astronauts orbiting around the Earth through doses of high radiation and energetic particles.

To better understand and predict these phenomena, theorists and modellers use physics and computer simulations to recreate and study the Sun’s behaviour. More accurate models can help explain how solar storms form and improve scientists’ ability to forecast these powerful eruptions.

Novel approach

The research group of Dibyendu Nandi, senior professor in the Astronomy and Astrophysics theme at RRI, is one of the groups across the globe that pursue the testing of computational models of solar magnetism and space weather through eclipse observations.

The team utilised a novel approach that employs two distinct computational models, rooted in the theoretical framework proposed by Nandi and colleagues, to predict the structure of the Sun’s coronal magnetic field.

A data-driven model with built-in memory spanning multiple years was utilised for the prediction. Using data available up to August 10, 2026, the researchers used the model to predict what the Sun’s magnetic field distribution would be on August 12, 2026.

This model is run forward to August 12 to predict the Sun’s surface magnetic field distribution on that day, incorporating data from the solar surface as observed until August 10.

“Calibrating the model with past solar observations is essential to obtain accurate estimations,” said Nandi.

“We strive to continuously improve our models by comparing our simulated predictions with observations – the best test for any theoretical model. Improved modelling approaches and constraining their underlying theoretical ideas help us build better models for predicting solar magnetic field dynamics and space weather,” he added.

The forecasting team led by Nandi included Sagnik Saha from the Raman Research Institute, Priyansh Jaswal from the Centre of Excellence in Space Sciences India at IISER Kolkata, Shaonwita Pal from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Department of Technical Education and Skill Development, Government of West Bengal, Soumyaranjan Dash from the United States National Solar Observatory, and Chitradeep Saha from the University of Reading, UK.

A rare event, invisible from India

In a total solar eclipse, the entire visible disk of the Sun is occulted by the Moon, turning day into night for a few minutes.

The eclipse will start at 9.04 pm IST on August 12, 2026. The Moon’s shadow will cover the Sun for two minutes and 18 seconds.

The eclipse won’t be visible from India as it will be night by then. While most of Spain will get to see the total solar eclipse, other parts of Western Europe, parts of northwestern Africa, and some parts of the U.S. will see a partial solar eclipse.

Published – August 12, 2026 05:04 pm IST

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Solar eclipse 2026: Will it be visible from India?

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 01:24:00 +0000

Representational image
| Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

A solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, with many parts of the world set to witness the celestial event, either partially or completely.

Also read: What the night sky offers in August

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment, and the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet and blocking some of the fiery ball’s light.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon perfectly covers the Sun and for a few minutes the day sky turns completely dark.

Our coverage of the February 2026 eclipse

A partial eclipse is when the Moon is not in alignment and only a part of it covers the Sun, making it appear as if a “bite” of the Sun has been eaten away.

An annular solar eclipse is when the Moon is near its farthest point from Earth. Because it is smaller than the Sun, it doesn’t cover it completely, leaving a thin, bright outer ring of sunlight visible called the ‘Ring of Fire.’

Solar eclipse 2026: Timings in IST

The eclipse will start at 15.34 GMT on August 12, 2026, and the moon’s shadow will cover the sun for as long as two minutes and 18 seconds. The timing of the eclipse in IST, or Indian Standard Time, is 9.04 pm.

Will solar eclipse be visible in India?

The solar eclipse will not be visible in India as it will occur at night, and thus, Indians will miss out on witnessing the celestial event on August 12, 2026.

But a total solar eclipse will be visible in mainland Europe for the first time since 1999, with much of Spain coming under the path of totality or the area in which the moon’s shadow will fall, resulting in complete darkness during daytime.

Western Europe, parts of northwestern Africa and some parts of the U.S. will see a partial solar eclipse.

Published – August 11, 2026 11:59 am IST

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Solar eclipse 2026: Will it be visible from India? Timings in IST

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:29:00 +0000

Representational image
| Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

A solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, with many parts of the world set to witness the celestial event, either partially or completely.

Also read: What the night sky offers in August

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment, and the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet and blocking some of the fiery ball’s light.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon perfectly covers the Sun and for a few minutes the day sky turns completely dark.

Our coverage of the February 2026 eclipse

A partial eclipse is when the Moon is not in alignment and only a part of it covers the Sun, making it appear as if a “bite” of the Sun has been eaten away.

Solar eclipse 2026: Timings in IST

Will solar eclipse be visible in India?

The solar eclipse will not be visible in India as it will occur at night, and thus, Indians will miss out on witnessing the celestial event on August 12, 2026.

Western Europe, parts of northwestern Africa and some parts of the U.S. will see a partial solar eclipse.

Published – August 11, 2026 11:59 am IST

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Solar Eclipse February 2026: Where, when and how to watch it in India?

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:50:00 +0000

An annular solar eclipse.
| Photo Credit: AP

The first solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on Tuesday, February 17. It will be an ‘annular solar eclipse’ and the world is eagerly awaiting the celestial event.

Here’s all you need to know about it.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment and the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet and blocking some of the fiery ball’s light.

The configuration of the three celestial bodies is called a syzygy by scientists

What is an annular solar eclipse?

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is near its farthest point from Earth. Because it is smaller than the Sun, it doesn’t cover it completely leaving a thin., bright outer ring of sunlight visible called the ‘Ring of Fire.’

Other types of solar eclipses include the total, in which the Moon perfectly covers the Sun and for a few minutes the day sky turns completely dark. There is also a partial solar eclipse in which the Moon is not in alignment and only a part of it covers the Sun, making the appearance as if a “bite” of the Sun has been eaten away.

When will the eclipse occur?

The upcoming solar eclipse will occur on February 17 and begin at 09:56 UTC(Coordinated Universal Time) and the maximum eclipse will be achieved at 12:12 UTC.

Where can you see the eclipse?

The eclipse will be fully visible in only very remote parts of the world and almost entirely exclusive to Antarctica.

But other neighbouring regions will have partial visibility, including Southern Africa (Cape Town, Durban), Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Southern tips of Argentina and Chile will also be able to partially see the eclipse. The islands of Madagascar and Mauritius will also be able to see the eclipse.

Will it be visible in India?

The annular solar eclipse will not be visible in India, because the alignment occurs in the Southern hemisphere, when the Sun is below the horizon in India.

Published – February 11, 2026 12:20 pm IST

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