A rare total solar eclipse will darken skies across parts of Europe and the Arctic on August 12, cutting a path of totality over Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and a sliver of Portugal.
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A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the face of the Sun and turning day into a brief twilight for observers standing inside the narrow path of its shadow.
The Northern Hemisphere will experience a partial solar eclipse, including parts of the northern U.S. (from Alaska to North Carolina), most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa. Regions near the path will experience a partial eclipse with significant coverage, including over 90% in London and Paris.
Authorities and experts have urged viewers not to look at the sun with the naked eye, or to rely on sunglasses, noting it can cause permanent eye damage. Instead, they have recommended buying special eclipse glasses.
Path of Totality
Spain: The eclipse crosses diagonally from the Atlantic coast down to the Mediterranean Sea right before sunset. Totality will be visible in cities like Valencia, Zaragoza, and León, while Madrid and Barcelona fall just outside the line.
Iceland: Prime viewing spots are across western regions and Reykjavík. Iceland will host the longest land-adjacent duration of totality.
Greenland & Russia: The path will sweep across the remote Arctic north, the vast ice fields of Greenland, and northern Siberia.
Portugal: A sliver in the far northwestern Bragança district will catch a brief glimpse of totality right at sunset.
People are seen as they watch a total solar eclipse through protective glasses in Kerrville, TX on Monday, April 8, 2024.NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
Those who have witnessed totality describe it as a profound spiritual experience that unites millions of people from every corner of the globe. Strangers from different nations, cultures, languages, and backgrounds gather side by side beneath the Moon’s shadow. In those fleeting minutes, as day turns to twilight and the solar corona blazes into view, the eclipse becomes a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.
