A rare total solar eclipse will occur on August 12 as the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, plunging parts of Europe into darkness. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible from continental Europe since 2006, according to news agency AFP. The path of totality is expected to draw large crowds of observers and tourists.
During the eclipse, the Moon aligns between the Sun and Earth, casting a narrow band of shadow across the surface of the planet. Daylight decreases dramatically, creating a distinct twilight atmosphere. Temperatures can drop, shadows take on unusual forms, and some animals react as if night has arrived.
This phenomenon occurs due to a cosmic coincidence. Although the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon, it is also roughly 400 times farther away from Earth. From the correct viewing position, the Moon appears almost identical in size to the Sun and covers the solar disk completely, leaving only the solar corona visible.
Path of totality locations
The total eclipse will first become visible in a remote region of northern Russia. The path of totality will then move across Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and the northeastern tip of Portugal. In Spain, the eclipse zone will stretch from Oviedo in the north to the island of Mallorca, passing through areas damaged by destructive wildfires in recent years.
A partial eclipse will be visible across a much larger region. People in large parts of Europe, Canada, the northern United States, and northwestern Africa will be able to see the partial event.
Duration of totality and partial phases
For viewers in Spain, the total phase will take place shortly before sunset and will be brief. In the city of Burgos, the Sun will be completely covered for about one minute and 48 seconds. Total darkness in parts of Russia and Greenland will last longer, but will not exceed two and a half minutes.
The partial phases of the eclipse will last much longer. The entire event from start to finish will cover a total duration of about one hour and 45 minutes.
Solar eclipses happen once or twice every year, but the path where totality can be seen is extremely narrow. Because of this limited path, a specific location on Earth may wait hundreds of years before experiencing another total solar eclipse.
Upcoming eclipses and eye safety
Spain will not have to wait centuries for another event. On August 2, 2027, another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds. An annular eclipse, known as a ring of fire, will follow on January 26, 2028, and will also be visible from southern Spain.
Observing an eclipse requires strict safety precautions. Direct viewing of the Sun without proper protection can cause severe and permanent damage to eyesight. Experts recommend using special eclipse glasses that filter out harmful radiation.
Special care is necessary because the retina has no pain receptors. Eye damage can occur without observers realizing at the time that their eyes have been injured.
