Rare total solar eclipse to darken parts of Europe today

A rare total solar eclipse will take place today, with the Moon completely blocking the Sun along a narrow path stretching from northern Russia through Greenland and Iceland to northern Spain and a small part of Portugal.

The eclipse will be visible as a partial eclipse across much of Europe and parts of Africa and North America. Totality, however, will be limited to parts of Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and a small area of northeastern Portugal. 

The event will mark the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. In Spain, the eclipse will occur close to sunset, while cities such as Madrid and Barcelona will experience only a partial eclipse. 

The maximum duration of totality will be about 2 minutes and 18 seconds, with the point of greatest totality located over the North Atlantic, west of Iceland. 

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s light either completely or partially.

Experts advise viewers to use certified solar viewing glasses or other proper eye protection during all partial phases of the eclipse to avoid serious eye damage. 

SKS