Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 August 13
     [2]The Moon covers the Sun in the middle of the sky above an ornate
     church. A ring of bright whisps from the Sun's corona surrounds the
    Moon. In front of the church is a river that shows ripples across the
         eclipse's reflection. Some people are boating in the river.

                       Total Solar Eclipse Over Spain
                  Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Ruiyu Zhang
   Text: [4]Keighley Rockcliffe ([5]NASA [6]GSFC, [7]UMBC CSST, [8]CRESST
                                     II)

   Explanation: On August 12th, 2026, the Moon [9]totally eclipsed the Sun
   and [10]cast its shadow across Siberia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and
   Portugal. [11]Today’s image features two [12]total solar eclipses
   viewed from [13]Zaragoza, Spain, one over the Cathedral-Basilica of Our
   Lady of the Pillar and the other reflecting in the Ebro River. For a
   few moments, Spain saw its first major total solar eclipse since 1905.
   Those witnessing totality may experience a chill in the air, the
   quieting of birds, the confused chirps of insects, and the shared awe
   of many. It’s [14]the corona’s time to shine as the Sun’s bright disk
   is blocked by the Moon. Among other [15]reasons to study eclipses, they
   help scientists understand why the corona is millions of degrees hotter
   than the Sun’s surface. [16]Enthusiastic citizens can contribute to
   these studies by recording how wildlife responds, imaging the corona,
   and monitoring air temperature and clouds.

    More spectacular eclipse images: [17]Solar Eclipse of 2026 August 12
                        Tomorrow's picture: a mystery
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [29]Robert Nemiroff ([30]MTU) & [31]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([32]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [33]Specific rights apply.
            [34]NASA Web Privacy, [35]Accessibility, [36]Notices;
                A service of: [37]ASD at [38]NASA / [39]GSFC,
                         [40]NASA Science Activation
                           & [41]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2608/total_solar_eclipse.jpg
   3. https://www.instagram.com/duskpiper/
   4. https://kerockcliffe.com/
   5. https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/sci/bio/keighley.e.rockcliffe
   6. https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/
   7. https://csst.umbc.edu/directory/
   8. https://cresst2.umd.edu/
   9. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/geometry/
  10. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/total-solar-eclipse-on-august-12-2026/#total-eclipse:~:text=In the Moon's Shadow
  11. https://www.instagram.com/p/Db81h60gMAP/
  12. https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2025-june-12-solar-eclipse/
  13. https://youtu.be/muBCArUO_s4?si=MyAU1VKgRYqBqgah
  14. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/sun-corona/en/
  15. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/nasa-research/
  16. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/citizen-science/
  17. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1048378671224043&type=3
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260812.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  22. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  24. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  27. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=260813
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260814.html
  29. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/department/faculty/nemiroff/
  30. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/
  31. https://inspirehep.net/authors/1073087
  32. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  33. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  36. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  37. https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/astrophysics/
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  40. https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/
  41. http://www.mtu.edu/