On Wednesday, Aug. 12, millions of people across Europe, the Arctic and the North Atlantic will witness one of the decade’s greatest natural spectacles — a total solar eclipse. Whether you’re traveling into the path of totality or simply watching a partial eclipse from home in Europe or North America, here are 10 fascinating facts about this historic astronomical event as August’s sky dominates the headlines.
1. Mainland Europe’s First Total Solar Eclipse Since 1999
For millions of Europeans, this will be the first chance to experience totality without leaving the continent since a total solar eclipse on Aug. 11, 1999. A whole generation has never seen the moon completely cover the sun from mainland Europe — though there was a total solar eclipse in 2015 that was visible from the Faroe Islands and Svalbard in the North Atlantic.
2. The Moon’s Shadow Will Travel Closer To The North Pole Than Ever
One of the eclipse’s most remarkable features happens far from any spectators. The shadow’s centerline reaches an astonishing latitude of 87.8 degrees north — just 153 miles (246 kilometers) from the North Pole — before curving back south. No total solar eclipse in modern records has passed closer to Earth’s northernmost point.
3. The Eclipse Begins In Russia
The moon’s shadow first touches Earth in an unpopulated area of Siberia in northern Russia — where it will be an eclipsed sunrise — before racing across the Laptev Sea and the Arctic Ocean. From there it crosses Greenland and Iceland before reaching northern Spain, where some of the world’s most popular viewing locations await.
4. Portugal Gets A Brief Taste Of Totality
Although Spain hosts the longest and most accessible totality in mainland Europe, Portugal isn’t entirely left out. Three tiny areas fall inside the path of totality, including the remote villages of Rio de Onor and Guadramil, where totality lasts only around 15 seconds.
5. Spain Will Be The Main Destination
Spain is expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of eclipse chasers, despite it taking place very close to sunset, making it a potentially risky choice. Cities and regions across northern Spain will enjoy some of the longest durations of totality. Cities include A Coruña, León, Burgos, Oviedo, Bilbao, and Zaragoza. Madrid and Barcelona miss out. Other headline destinations will be Greenland’s Scoresby Sund — where expedition cruise ships full of eclipse chasers are bound for — and western Iceland, including the capital Reykjavik.
6. Venice Will Experience A Sunset Eclipse
Across Europe, the eclipse will take place close to — and in some cases, during — sunset, creating dramatic viewing opportunities. One of the most photogenic sights of the event will actually occur in Venice, where a 91% partially eclipsed sun will sink towards the western horizon at sunset. Although Venice lies outside the path of totality, the combination of an eclipsed sun and the city’s famous skyline could make for unforgettable images — clear skies allowing.
7. Totality Could Reveal Meteors And Even The Aurora
During totality, the daytime sky becomes dark enough for the brightest planets and stars to appear. Under exceptional conditions, observers may even glimpse a bright meteor from the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks hours later — and at high Arctic latitudes, a display of aurora could add an extraordinary bonus to the eclipse experience. Both are highly unlikely — but not impossible.
8. North America Will See A Partial Eclipse
Although totality is confined to Greenland, Iceland and Spain, observers across Europe and North America will still see the moon take a bite out of the sun. The most impressive views in North America will be from eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, will see 53% of the sun covered, followed by Halifax (31%), Saint John (28%), Québec City (24%), Boston (16%) and New York (10%). Eclipse glasses or front-mounted solar filters will be essential throughout the event.
9. Around A Billion People Will See At Least A Partial Eclipse
While only a relatively narrow path experiences totality, the partial eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, North Africa and North America. In total, around one billion people are expected to have the opportunity to see at least part of the eclipse, according to TimeAndDate.com.
10. It’s The First Of Three Total Solar Eclipses In Just 372 Days
The Aug. 12 total solar eclipse marks the beginning of an extraordinary run of total solar eclipses. It will be followed by another total eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027, and again on July 22, 2028 — meaning eclipse chasers have three spectacular opportunities to experience totality in just 372 days.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
