Name: Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026 — Italy
Start: 2026-08-12T17:47:00Z
End: 2026-08-12T19:34:00Z
Location: Italy

Question 1

Will the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse be visible from Rome?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ~80% partial About 21:30 CEST (UTC+02:00) — near sunset.

Question 2

What time does the eclipse start and peak in Rome?

Accepted Answer

About 21:30 CEST (UTC+02:00) — near sunset. Contact times shift by a minute or two across Italy — NASA's interactive map gives first-contact, maximum, and last-contact times for the exact coordinates of Rome.

Question 3

How much of the Sun will be covered from Rome?

Accepted Answer

Rome sits in the "deep partial" zone. The peak obscuration reaches roughly 84% for the best-placed observers in Italy; Rome specifically sees ~80% partial

Question 4

Is it safe to look at the eclipse from Rome without glasses?

Accepted Answer

No. The Sun over Rome is never fully covered on August 12, 2026, so it stays dangerously bright the entire time. Use ISO-12312-2 certified solar glasses or a #14 welder's filter for the whole viewing window.

Question 5

What's the weather usually like in Rome on August 12?

Accepted Answer

Mid-August conditions in Rome vary year to year, so cloud cover is the single biggest unknown. Use the live local forecast linked on this page in the days leading up to the eclipse — clear-sky odds matter more than any equipment.

Question 6

Is the eclipse in Rome accessible for people who can't travel to the path of totality?

Accepted Answer

Rome won't see totality, but the partial eclipse is visible from anywhere with a clear view of the Sun — a park, balcony, or open street with ISO-certified glasses. Live streams from inside the path of totality (linked from our main eclipses hub) are the accessible option for the total phase itself.

Question 7

Do I need a telescope or camera to watch from Rome?

Accepted Answer

No. The partial phases are dramatic with certified eclipse glasses alone. For photos, a phone through a solar filter works; a DSLR or mirrorless with a solar-filtered zoom lens gives sharper results. Never point an unfiltered camera, phone, or telescope at the Sun.

Question 8

Where can I check live cloud cover for Rome before the eclipse?

Accepted Answer

Use the "Live sky forecast for Rome" link on this page — it opens our real-time tonight-sky page with current cloud cover, transparency, and hour-by-hour weather sourced from Open-Meteo, plus a direct link to Open-Meteo's own 15-day forecast.

August 12, 2026 Partial Solar Eclipse — Italy Viewing Guide

Where to watch in Italy

Viewing tips for Italy

Other countries on August 12, 2026

Planning around the eclipse?