Total solar eclipse to darken Spain on Wednesday

A total solar eclipse is due to darken parts of Spain on Wednesday, August 12, as the Moon's shadow crosses remote northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland and the Iberian peninsula.

The path of totality is expected to start in remote northern Russia, then cross Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal. In Spain, it is expected to run roughly from Oviedo to Mallorca. Partial views will be visible across most of Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.

For observers in Spain, totality will last less than two minutes just before sunset. Burgos is expected to be in darkness for one minute and 48 seconds. Parts of Russia and Greenland will see slightly longer totality, though still under two and a half minutes. The partial phases will last around one hour and 45 minutes.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun and, from a narrow area on Earth, covers the Sun. NASA says the apparent match is a "cosmic coincidence" because the Sun is about 400 times bigger than the Moon and about 400 times farther away. During totality, the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, can be seen.

Spain is preparing for crowds and safety risks. The economy ministry forecasts a net contribution of 347 million euros and more than 446,000 additional tourists visiting key areas affected by the eclipse. Officials expect as many as 1.5 million extra road journeys towards the band of totality. Spain's AEMET weather agency forecast temperatures above 35C in most of mainland Spain and above 40C in parts of the northeast, with very high or extreme wildfire risk for much of the country.

People should not look directly at the Sun during the eclipse because it can cause serious eye damage. Experts recommend specifically designed eclipse glasses that filter ultraviolet rays and meet ISO 12312-2:2015. Paris Observatory astrophysicist Alain Doressoundiram told French media that even one percent of the Sun that is not obscured is 4,000 times as bright as the full Moon.

The event is mainland Europe's first total solar eclipse since 2006. Another total eclipse is expected to cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula on August 2, 2027, with totality lasting six minutes and 23 seconds. Spain is also due to see an annular, or "ring of fire", eclipse on January 26, 2028.