Mission Archive

Mission Report · EXP-2026-ES

Total Eclipse 2026

Totality at sunset over Cuéllar, Spain

On 12 August 2026 the Moon's shadow returned to mainland Spain for the first time in more than a century. Our expedition, led by Hamid D. Khodashenas (MrEclipse of Iran), observed totality from the walls of Cuéllar Castle in the province of Segovia, with the Sun only about 8° above the western horizon, and broadcast it live to audiences worldwide. It was Khodashenas's 17th total solar eclipse.

Total Eclipse 2026 — Totality at sunset over Cuéllar, Spain
Date
August 12, 2026
Site
Cuéllar Castle, Segovia, Spain
Totality
1m 24s
Sun Altitude
≈ 8° (west)
Mission Lead
Hamid D. Khodashenas
Local Partner
Astronomía Cercana

Field Notes

From his first total eclipse at Gahar, Lorestan, in 1999 to Zimbabwe, Antarctica, the Galápagos, the Sahara, the Arctic, the United States and Australia, every eclipse has marked another chapter in a journey of nearly three decades. In 2026 the destination was the historic Castle of Cuéllar, one of the finest sites on the path of totality.

What made this eclipse exceptional was its timing: totality came with the Sun hanging low in the evening sky, combining the blackened Sun, the delicate corona and the warm colours of sunset. The Sun set about 45 minutes later, still partially eclipsed.

From the heart of the path the team observed with professional astronomical and imaging equipment, joined by about fifty observers from the Segovian group Astronomía Cercana, and broadcast the event live on YouTube and Instagram so that people unable to travel could follow totality with scientific commentary.

“Cuéllar, with its ancient history and heritage, was our observing site for the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026. The warmth and hospitality of the people of Spain, especially Carlos and his family, made these three days in Cuéllar truly memorable. This eclipse was my 17th total solar eclipse.”

— Hamid D. Khodashenas

Local Circumstances · CEST

  1. C1Partial eclipse begins19:34:54
  2. C2Totality begins20:30:09
  3. MAXMaximum eclipse20:30:51
  4. C3Totality ends20:31:33
  5. SETSunset, Sun still eclipsed≈ 21:17

Live Broadcast

Field Reels

Expedition poster unveiledJul 27, 2026
Field report from CuéllarAug 10, 2026
My 17th total solar eclipseAug 17, 2026
Totality over CuéllarOct 3, 2026
Last encounter with the 2026 eclipseSep 3, 2026
Totality through the telescope: the solar coronaTotality through the telescope: the solar coronaDiamond ring at third contactDiamond ring at third contactTotality above Cuéllar in the evening skyTotality above Cuéllar in the evening skyH-alpha view of the partial phase near the horizonH-alpha view of the partial phase near the horizonThe eclipsed Sun over the observing stationThe eclipsed Sun over the observing stationThe eclipsed Sun setting behind observersThe eclipsed Sun setting behind observersDaylight returns after third contactDaylight returns after third contactTelescope and expedition poster at sunsetTelescope and expedition poster at sunsetObservers on the Cuéllar walls after totalityObservers on the Cuéllar walls after totalityLive H-alpha feed: the full disk before first contactLive H-alpha feed: the full disk before first contactLive feed: the partial phaseLive feed: the partial phaseLive feed: deep partial phase before totalityLive feed: deep partial phase before totalityLive feed: the eclipsed Sun approaching sunsetLive feed: the eclipsed Sun approaching sunsetCuéllar Castle, two days before the eclipseCuéllar Castle, two days before the eclipseHamid D. Khodashenas reporting from the castle wallsHamid D. Khodashenas reporting from the castle wallsRehearsal broadcast on 11 August: the H-alpha diskRehearsal broadcast on 11 August: the H-alpha diskOfficial expedition posterOfficial expedition posterLivestream announcement posterLivestream announcement poster

All media © Hamid D. Khodashenas / @mreclipseofiran

Documentation Trail

  1. Jul 27 · 2026Poster unveiled

    The expedition poster traces every eclipse since Gahar 1999 and names Cuéllar Castle as the 2026 site.

  2. Aug 9 · 2026Livestream announced

    Joint post with Sayeh Research Institute: a live telescopic view plus on-site footage, on YouTube and Instagram.

  3. Aug 10 · 2026On site in Cuéllar

    A short report from the castle walls ahead of Wednesday's totality.

  4. Aug 11 · 2026Rehearsal broadcasts

    Two test streams verify the H-alpha telescope feed from the observing site.

  5. Aug 12 · 2026Eclipse day, live

    A 93-minute live broadcast from first contact until the eclipsed Sun neared the horizon.

  6. Aug 17 · 2026The 17th eclipse

    Reflections on Cuéllar and a celebration of his 17th total solar eclipse.

  7. Sep 3 · 2026Last light

    The eclipsed Sun sinking behind silhouetted observers, filmed through the telescope.

  8. Sep 21 · 2026Public talk: The 17th Eclipse

    An evening of stories from 17 total eclipses at Abarsin, hosted by Mohammad Saleh Timar.

Next Total Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse 2027

August 2, 2027

The next total solar eclipse brings up to 6 minutes 23 seconds of totality (Saros 136, magnitude 1.079), one of the longest totalities of the century. Planning for our next deployment has begun; the observing site will be announced to members first.

Expedition site: To be announced

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