Photo: Havstad112 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Kristiansand

Kristiansand sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 84.3% of the Sun covered at around 20:00 CEST, with the Sun only ~9° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:00 CESTAgder · Norway · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 47m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~9° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage84.3% (partial)Kristiansand is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 84.3% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a substantial partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Changeable · ≈50%Scandinavian August weather is changeable but often bright in the evening; the Sun stays reasonably high here.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Kristiansand sees a partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 84.3% of the Sun covered at around 20:00 CEST, with the Sun only ~9° above the horizon.

Below: Kristiansand's exact timings, the best open viewpoints, why your eclipse glasses never come off here, and where the real totality is.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:05 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:00 CESTPartial — ~1h 47m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~21:20 CESTEclipse ends ~20:52 CEST

The eclipse runs from about 19:05 to 20:52 CEST, with maximum at around 20:00 and the Sun ~9° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:20 CEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Odderøya

Island · open sea

Best open horizon locally

The island fortress at the harbour mouth gives open sea views to the south and west.

Bystranda city beach

Beach · central

Room and an open outlook

The city beach gives space and a clean low sightline over the water.

Baneheia heights

Elevated · wooded park

Height above the city

The wooded hills behind Kristiansand give elevation and longer views.

Lindesnes lighthouse

Headland · Norway's southernmost

Widest sea horizon

The southernmost point of Norway has open ocean horizons across a huge arc — worth the drive.

West toward Stavanger

Deeper coverage

~85%

Coverage deepens along the coast toward Stavanger.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

Scandinavian August weather is changeable but often bright in the evening; the Sun stays reasonably high here.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~9° up
Arrive before 19:05 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Kristiansand eclipse FAQ

Will Kristiansand see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Kristiansand is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 84.3% of the Sun covered at maximum. It is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but the corona does not appear and the sky does not go dark. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Kristiansand?

The partial phase begins at about 19:05 CEST and maximum — 84.3% coverage — comes at roughly 20:00 CEST. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:20 CEST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Kristiansand?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 84.3% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Kristiansand?

The Sun is only about 9° above the horizon, so you need an open, unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Buildings, hills and trees in that direction will hide the deepest phase.

Will the weather be clear in Kristiansand on eclipse day?

Scandinavian August weather is changeable but often bright in the evening; the Sun stays reasonably high here.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).