PARIS, July 8 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know about the celestial spectacle, the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 2006.<\/p>\n
What is an eclipse?<\/strong><\/p>\n A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a narrow shadow across the planet.<\/p>\n The result is an eerie twilight where temperatures fall, shadows appear at unusual angles and some animals think it\u2019s bedtime.<\/p>\n These strange effects once convinced ancient civilisations that eclipses signalled the apocalypse \u2014 or messages from the gods.<\/p>\n In reality, Nasa says the event is the result of a \u201ccosmic coincidence\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though the Sun is about 400 times bigger than the Moon, it is also about 400 times farther away,\u201d the US space agency explains.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Where can it be seen?<\/strong><\/p>\n The eclipse will first appear over a remote region of northern Russia before the \u201cpath of totality\u201d sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal.<\/p>\n In Spain, the shadow will travel roughly from the northern city of Oviedo to the island of Mallorca.<\/p>\n How long will it last?<\/strong><\/p>\n For skywatchers in Spain, totality will last less than two minutes shortly before sunset.<\/p>\n In Burgos, for example, darkness will fall for exactly one minute and 48 seconds.<\/p>\n Parts of Russia and Greenland will enjoy slightly longer viewing times, though still under two-and-a-half minutes.<\/p>\n The partial phases of the eclipse \u2014 before and after totality \u2014 will last around one hour and 45 minutes.<\/p>\n Partial eclipses will also be visible across most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.<\/p>\n How rare is it?<\/strong><\/p>\n There are usually one or two solar eclipses somewhere on Earth each year.<\/p>\n But because the path of totality is so narrow, the same location may wait up to 400 years before seeing another one.<\/p>\n Spain won\u2019t have to wait that long.<\/p>\n Another total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula on August 2, 2027.<\/p>\n Some media have dubbed it the \u201ceclipse of the century\u201d because totality will last six minutes and 23 seconds \u2014 the longest of the 21st century.<\/p>\n Spain will also witness an annular, or \u201cring of fire\u201d, eclipse on January 26, 2028, when the Moon leaves a bright ring of the Sun visible around its edges.<\/p>\n Do you need protection?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes.<\/p>\n Looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse can cause serious eye damage.<\/p>\n Experts recommend using specially designed eclipse glasses that filter ultraviolet rays and meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 safety standard.<\/p>\n Because the eyes have no pain receptors to warn of damage, people may not realise they have injured their vision until later.<\/p>\n Research following the 2024 total solar eclipse in the United States found online searches for \u201cmy eyes hurt\u201d surged after the event. \u2014 AFP<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PARIS, July 8 \u2014 Day will briefly turn into night across parts of northern Spain on August 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