A total solar eclipse will cover part of Europe on August 12
On Wednesday, August 12, residents of several countries will be able to observe a total solar eclipse—one of the rarest and most spectacular astronomical phenomena.
The total phase of the eclipse will be visible only from specific areas—Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and a small part of northeastern Portugal. Northern Spain will be one of the best places to view it.
For many people, this will be their first opportunity to see a total solar eclipse with their own eyes. At the same time, astronomers remind the public of the need to observe the event safely. According to NASA, it is safe to look at the Sun without special protection only during the brief total eclipse phase, when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s disk.
“Even 1% of the Sun’s surface that remains visible emits enough radiation to permanently damage the eye’s light-sensitive cells,” warned the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands.
Looking directly at the Sun without protective gear can lead to serious vision impairment or blindness. To observe the eclipse, it is recommended to use special glasses that comply with the international safety standard ISO 12312-2.
This is stated in a press release from the European Space Agency (ESA).
As a reminder, the longest solar eclipse of the century will occur in 2027 in areas where it is visible.
AI helped decipher ancient Babylonian prophecies about the eclipse.
