Solar Eclipse: What to Look Forward To
The last solar eclipse visible from the European mainland was in 1999. Here's what to expect, and how to prepare for this rare occasion.
On Wednesday, approximately 980 million individuals across the Northern Hemisphere will have the opportunity to witness an upcoming solar eclipse. Accompanying the eclipse, numerous researchers will utilize the brief window when the sun's corona becomes visible from Earth to evaluate specialized instruments and capture rare visuals, aiming to enhance their understanding of materials above the sun's surface.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun during daylight hours, casting a shadow that momentarily darkens the sky and seemingly obscures the sun. At the peak of the eclipse, the moon's disk aligns precisely with the sun, unveiling the sun's corona - its outermost atmosphere that emanates outward like a crown.
As the moon draws nearer and the sky grows darker, you may also observe a drop in temperature, crescent-shaped shadows, altered wind patterns, and unusual animal behavior. Solar panels will generate less energy during this period, potentially causing brief increases in electricity prices in Germany.
Just before the eclipse reaches its maximum point, known as totality, keep an eye out for Baily's beads - the final rays of sunlight piercing Earth through valleys on the moon's surface, appearing as white specks encircling the moon like a string of pearls. As night descends during totality, look for stars that emerge, and possibly even auroras or passing meteors.
If you reside in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, northern Spain, or northeastern Portugal, you're fortunate! Residents in these areas will be able to observe a total solar eclipse. Most of Western Europe, as well as parts of northern Africa and northern America, will still be able to witness a partial solar eclipse. Moreover, this is merely the first of two eclipses occurring in August; the second will occur on August 27-28, when Earth aligns between the sun and the moon to form a lunar eclipse.
The next solar eclipse will take place on February 2, 2027, across much of Africa, South America, as well as portions of Antarctica. While eclipses are relatively common, it is not often that a total solar eclipse is visible above inhabited parts of the globe. The last solar eclipse visible to most of mainland Europe occurred in 1999.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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