Total solar eclipse stuns skywatchers | Space photo of the day for Aug. 13, 2026

This photo, snapped just as the Aug. 12 solar eclipse was about to enter its totality phase, really captures the drama of the moment.

The top 3

The Longest Recorded Total Solar Eclipse in History: The longest total solar eclipse in recorded history occurred on June 15, 743 BCE, lasting 7 minutes and 28 seconds, visible across parts of Central Africa.
The Longest Possible Theoretical Total Solar Eclipse: The maximum possible duration for a total solar eclipse is theoretically 7 minutes and 32 seconds, a duration influenced by factors like Earth's position at aphelion and the Moon's at perigee.
Future Extended Total Solar Eclipses: The total solar eclipse on July 16, 2186, is predicted to be the longest in a 12,000-year span, with a totality of 7 minutes and 29 seconds, visible off the coast of South America. Another notable long eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, with up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of totality visible from accessible land in North Africa and the Middle East, near Luxor, Egypt.