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In Europe, the Total Solar Eclipse Is Hours Away
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Continental Europe will experience its first total solar eclipse in decades on Wednesday, with the moon completely covering the sun along a narrow path known as the umbra, creating a brief period of darkness called totality.
- The eclipse will start around 6:08 p.m. Central European Time in northern Russia, then pass over Greenland, Iceland, and a significant portion of Spain, where viewing parties are planned despite concerns about extreme heat and fire risks.
- Totality will last up to just over two minutes in some locations, during which the sun appears as a black disk surrounded by a corona, planets, and stars, causing noticeable changes in light, temperature, and animal behavior.
- Safety precautions are emphasized, as looking directly at the sun outside the brief totality phase can cause serious eye damage; in Spain, 1.7 million pairs of eclipse glasses have been distributed to the public to ensure safe viewing.
- The event has sparked widespread interest, with people traveling to optimal viewing spots and media outlets, including The New York Times, providing live coverage from multiple countries.
