UAE won’t see the total solar eclipse, but here’s how you can watch it live

The UAE isn’t on the path of totality for the upcoming total solar eclipse, but we can still witness this rare celestial event online. Taking place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the eclipse will see the moon pass directly between Earth and the sun, briefly casting parts of the world into darkness. You may have already seen the eclipse popping up on your feed, with astrologers and astronomy enthusiasts sharing their thoughts on the upcoming cosmic event. But beyond the predictions and social media chatter, a total solar eclipse remains one of nature’s most spectacular sights. Occurring once every 18 months, the total solar eclipse happens when the new moon comes in between the earth and the sun – a fact we all probably learnt. But, what truly makes a total solar eclipse a ‘once in a blue moon’ type of sighting is the fact that only a specific region on earth gets to experience it once in about 400 years. While the UAE won’t fall along the path of totality, these locations will experience the dramatic moment when daylight briefly fades and the sky darkens: Whether you’re into astronomy or simply just want to witness this rare phenomenon for the love of science, there are still ways to experience the eclipse from the UAE. Luckily, modern technology means you don’t need to be in the path of totality to witness the event. You can watch it live online through the European Space Agency Web TV or their official YouTube channel or stream the multi-angle live coverage on the official NASA YouTube channel at 9:15 PM GST. While you may not be able to see the total solar eclipse in the UAE, you can still experience other cosmic events, such as the Perseid Meteor Shower which is also due on August 12, 2026. You can choose to have a guided experience by the Dubai Astronomy Group or head to darker locations like the Al Qudra Desert, where the visibility will be at its peak.