When day turns to night: Everything you need to know about August’s total solar eclipse

PARIS, July 8 — Day will briefly turn into night across parts of northern Spain on August 12, when the Moon completely covers the Sun during a rare total solar eclipse.

Here’s what you need to know about the celestial spectacle, the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 2006.

What is an eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a narrow shadow across the planet.

The result is an eerie twilight where temperatures fall, shadows appear at unusual angles and some animals think it’s bedtime.

These strange effects once convinced ancient civilisations that eclipses signalled the apocalypse — or messages from the gods.

In reality, Nasa says the event is 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 explains.

That perfect balance means people standing in the right place will see the Moon completely block the Sun, revealing its glowing outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

Where can it be seen?

The eclipse will first appear over a remote region of northern Russia before the “path of totality” sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal.

In Spain, the shadow will travel roughly from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca.

How long will it last?

For skywatchers in Spain, totality will last less than two minutes shortly before sunset.

In Burgos, for example, darkness will fall for exactly one minute and 48 seconds.

Parts of Russia and Greenland will enjoy slightly longer viewing times, though still under two-and-a-half minutes.

The partial phases of the eclipse — before and after totality — will last around one hour and 45 minutes.

Partial eclipses will also be visible across most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.

How rare is it?

There are usually one or two solar eclipses somewhere on Earth each year.

But because the path of totality is so narrow, the same location may wait up to 400 years before seeing another one.

Spain won’t have to wait that long.

Another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula on August 2, 2027.

Some media have dubbed it the “eclipse of the century” because totality will last six minutes and 23 seconds — the longest of the 21st century.

Spain will also witness an annular, or “ring of fire”, eclipse on January 26, 2028, when the Moon leaves a bright ring of the Sun visible around its edges.

Do you need protection?

Yes.

Looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse can cause serious eye damage.

Experts recommend using specially designed eclipse glasses that filter ultraviolet rays and meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 safety standard.

Because the eyes have no pain receptors to warn of damage, people may not realise they have injured their vision until later.

Research following the 2024 total solar eclipse in the United States found online searches for “my eyes hurt” surged after the event. — AFP