DAY will briefly turn to night across a swathe of northern Spain on August 12, when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth during a rare total solar eclipse — the first visible in mainland Europe since 2006.
The celestial spectacle will create a strange twilight, with temperatures dropping, shadows appearing at unusual angles, and some animals behaving as though night has fallen. Such phenomena once convinced ancient civilisations that eclipses were apocalyptic omens or messages from the gods.
However, as NASA explains, it is simply the result of a “cosmic coincidence”.
“Even though the Sun is about 400 times bigger than the Moon, it is also about 400 times farther away,” the US space agency notes. This means that for those standing in the right spot, the Moon perfectly covers the Sun, revealing its outer atmosphere — the corona.
Where To See It
The remote region of northern Russia will be the first to witness the total eclipse on August 12. The “path of totality” will then cross over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and the northeastern tip of Portugal.
In Spain, the eclipse will roughly track from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca, offering prime viewing opportunities for millions.
How Long Will It Last?
For observers in Spain, the total eclipse will last under two minutes, occurring just before sunset. In the northern city of Burgos, for example, darkness will fall for exactly one minute and 48 seconds.
The eclipse will last slightly longer in parts of Russia and Greenland, though still under two-and-a-half minutes.
Partial eclipses — which occur as the Moon begins and finishes crossing the Sun — will last around one hour and 45 minutes. These will also be visible across most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States, and northwest Africa.
How Rare Is It?
One or two solar eclipses occur roughly every year, but the narrow band of totality means the same area may wait 400 years before seeing another one.
On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Some media have dubbed it the “eclipse of the century”, with totality lasting six minutes and 23 seconds — the longest of the 21st century.
Spain will be treated yet again on January 26, 2028, when an annular — or “ring of fire” — eclipse will cross southern areas.
Do You Need Protection?
Yes. Experts strongly warn against looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse, as it can cause serious and permanent eye damage.
Specialised eclipse glasses that filter UV rays and meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 safety standard are recommended. There are no pain receptors in the eyes to warn the brain of injury, so problems only become apparent later.
Following the total solar eclipse in the United States in 2024, research showed a surge in people searching online for “my eyes hurt” — a stark reminder of the importance of proper eye protection.
With AFP
