A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 will offer opportunities for public participation in scientific research across Europe and surrounding regions. Several citizen science initiatives invite volunteers to contribute data during the event and year-round.
The eclipse will be visible in totality over parts of Europe along with the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. A partial phase will extend to much of Europe, Canada, north-west Africa and portions of the United States.
Volunteers in the path of totality can record shadow bands by filming a white sheet or cardboard with a camera. The SunSketcher smartphone app will capture images of Baily’s Beads to help measure the Sun’s shape with precise geolocation.
The Gaia4Sustainability project uses sensors to track sky brightness and atmospheric changes, while the Sungrazer project allows remote analysis of satellite images to identify Sun-grazing comets. The Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative offers training for teams to observe the corona during future eclipses, though sign-ups for 2026 have closed.
Participants are advised to use proper solar filters or eclipse glasses for safe viewing.