Europe set for first total solar eclipse after 27 years

A rare total solar eclipse will sweep across parts of Europe on Wednesday (August 12), briefly turning day into darkness as the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun.

The August 12 eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, northern Spain and a small part of northeastern Portugal, according to NASA.

Large parts of Europe, North America and northwestern Africa will also witness a partial eclipse.

The path of totality — where the Moon will completely block the Sun — is narrow. Some of the best viewing opportunities will be in Iceland and northern Spain, while totality will last up to about 2 minutes 18 seconds at its maximum.

In Spain, the eclipse will sweep across the northern part of the country before moving southeast toward the Balearic Islands. Cities including A Coruña, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia and Palma are among the locations within or near the path of totality, while Madrid and Barcelona fall outside it.

Outside the totality zone, much of Europe will experience a substantial partial eclipse. The event will also be visible in parts of Canada and the northern United States.

NASA will provide live coverage for people unable to view the eclipse directly.

The celestial spectacle will be followed by another total solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027, whose path will cross parts of Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Safety: The Sun should never be viewed directly during the partial phases without certified solar viewing glasses or appropriate solar filters.