Total solar eclipse to sweep across parts of Europe on 12 August

World europeTop News Total solar eclipse to sweep across parts of Europe on 12 August Total Solar Eclipse 1024x575 Relevant News Konstantinos Makris: Worrying rise in child cancer, urgent need to investigate the causes 9 August 2026 Total solar eclipse to sweep across parts of Europe on 12 August 9 August 2026 Woman, 22, critically injured in Larnaca district motorcycle crash 9 August 2026 newsroom 9 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber One of the most striking astronomical events of recent years is expected on Wednesday, 12 August, when a total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Europe and the northern hemisphere. For a few minutes, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely covering the solar disc for observers located within the narrow path of its shadow. The eclipse will be particularly significant for Europe, as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The event is expected to attract thousands of travellers and astronomy enthusiasts to areas lying within what is known as the “path of totality”. How a total solar eclipse happens A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, casting its shadow over part of the planet’s surface. During a total eclipse, observers in the right location see the Moon completely cover the bright disc of the Sun. Daylight suddenly fades, the sky takes on the appearance of twilight and the Sun’s corona becomes visible around the darkened Moon. The phenomenon is possible because of a striking relationship between size and distance. The Sun is about 400 times larger in diameter than the Moon, but it is also around 400 times farther away. As a result, the two appear almost the same size when viewed from Earth. Where the Moon’s shadow will pass The path of totality on 12 August will cross northern Russia, Greenland and Iceland before moving across the Atlantic and reaching the Iberian Peninsula. Spain will be particularly well placed along the European section of the route, while a small part of north-eastern Portugal will also fall within the path of totality. In Spain, the path will cross large parts of the north and east of the country before reaching the Balearic Islands. A much larger area will experience a partial eclipse, including much of Europe and Canada, parts of the northern United States and north-west Africa. Less than two minutes of totality in parts of Spain The Sun will be completely covered only briefly, particularly in Spain, where the eclipse will take place low on the horizon shortly before sunset. In the Burgos area, for example, totality will last around one minute and 44 seconds, while the entire event from the beginning to the end of the partial phases will last close to one hour and 47 minutes. The maximum duration of totality anywhere along the eclipse path will be around two minutes and 18 seconds. Why total eclipses are so rare in one place Solar eclipses are not exceptionally rare on a global scale. What is unusual is for a particular location to fall directly within the narrow path of totality. The Moon’s shadow covers only a limited area of the Earth each time, meaning many years can pass before the same city or region experiences another total solar eclipse. Spain, however, is entering an unusually active period for eclipses. On 2 August 2027, another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Special glasses needed to watch safely Extreme care is required when watching the eclipse, as looking directly at the Sun without proper protection can cause serious eye damage. Certified eclipse glasses or safe solar filters must be used throughout all partial phases of the eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide adequate protection. Only observers within the path of totality may remove their eclipse glasses briefly, and only when the Moon has completely covered the bright disc of the Sun. As soon as even a small part of the Sun begins to reappear, eye protection must be used again. Special solar filters are also required for telescopes, binoculars and cameras, as concentrated sunlight can cause serious eye injuries and damage equipment. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Konstantinos Makris: Worrying rise in child cancer, urgent need to investigate the causes Woman, 22, critically injured in Larnaca district motorcycle crash Nine arrested in nationwide police operation as 353 traffic offences recorded Cyprus politics turns to 2028 as battle for the Right intensifies Cyprus to stay hot and mainly clear, isolated showers possible from Tuesday Two e-scooter riders crash into sea rocks in Paphos Man arrested after two separate stabbing attacks in Rotterdam Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.