One of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena of recent years will take place on Wednesday, August 12, when a total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere.
For a few minutes, the Moon will be positioned exactly between the Earth and the Sun, completely covering the solar disk for those within the narrow path through which its shadow will pass.
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The eclipse is of particular significance for Europe, as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from continental Europe since 1999. The phenomenon is expected to attract thousands of travelers and astronomy enthusiasts to the regions located within the so-called “path of totality.”
How a total solar eclipse occurs
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and its shadow falls on a portion of the planet’s surface.
During a total eclipse, for observers in the right location, the Moon covers the entire luminous disk of the Sun. Daylight is abruptly reduced, the sky takes on a twilight hue, and the solar corona becomes visible around the dark Moon.
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This phenomenon is made possible by a striking ratio of sizes and distances: the Sun has a diameter about 400 times larger than that of the Moon, but it is also about 400 times farther away. Thus, as seen from Earth, the two disks appear to be nearly the same apparent size.
Which regions will the Moon’s shadow pass over?
The total phase of the August 12 eclipse will cross northern Russia, Greenland, and Iceland, before moving across the Atlantic and reaching the Iberian Peninsula.
Along the European portion of the path, Spain will have a particularly prime vantage point, while a small section of northeastern Portugal will also lie within the path of totality.
In Spain, the path will cross a large part of the northern and eastern parts of the country, reaching as far as the Balearic Islands.
The area from which the phenomenon will be visible as a partial eclipse will be much larger. This includes much of Europe and Canada, parts of the northern United States, and northwestern Africa.
Less than two minutes of totality in parts of Spain
Totality will be brief, particularly in Spain, where the eclipse will occur low on the horizon, just before sunset.
In the Burgos region, for example, totality will last approximately one minute and 44 seconds, while the entire process—from the start to the end of the partial phases—will be close to one hour and 47 minutes.
The maximum duration of the total phase along the entire path of the eclipse will be approximately two minutes and 18 seconds.
Why total eclipses are so rare in a given location
Solar eclipses are not, in and of themselves, an extremely rare phenomenon on a global scale. What is rare is for a specific location to be situated precisely within the narrow path of totality.
The Moon’s shadow covers only a limited area of the Earth each time, meaning that a very long time may pass before a specific city or region experiences total solar eclipse again.
Spain, however, is about to experience a particularly unusual series of eclipses. On August 2, 2027, another total solar eclipse will pass over southern Spain, North Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Observation with special glasses
Special care is required when observing the phenomenon, as looking directly at the Sun without proper protection can cause serious eye damage.
For all partial phases of the eclipse, special certified eclipse glasses or safe solar filters must be used. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide the necessary protection.
Only those within the path of totality may remove their special glasses for a few moments, and only when the Moon has completely covered the Sun’s disk. As soon as even a small part of it begins to reappear, protective eyewear must be worn again.
A special solar filter is also required for telescopes, binoculars, and cameras, as concentrated solar radiation can cause serious eye injury and damage to equipment.
Source: Protothema.gr
