On August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the Arctic and parts of Europe, plunging the day into twilight along a narrow path of totality according to Forbes. The alignment occurs when the New Moon takes place at 1:37 p.m. EDT, sending the shadow over Earth’s surface as reported by Astronomy.
Path of the Total Solar Eclipse Across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain
The path of totality is confined to a corridor approximately 180 miles wide that crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain, alongside a tiny sliver of far northeastern Portugal. Observers positioned directly along this path can expect roughly 2 minutes of totality. The longest eclipse visible along the path will reach 2 minutes and 18 seconds of totality off the west coast of Iceland. In Reykjavik, observers will witness roughly 1 minute of totality, while the farthest point west along the Icelandic coast will experience totality lasting nearly 2 minutes.
Partial Solar Eclipse Views Across the United States and North America
While the total eclipse will miss the United States entirely, the Moon’s wider outer shadow will sweep across northern parts of the continent to create a partial solar eclipse visible from 26 U.S. states detailed by Forbes. Viewers in regions outside the path of totality will see the dark Moon take a bite out of the solar disk.
Alaska and Maine will receive the deepest U.S. views. Fairbanks, Alaska, will experience an eclipse with about 37% of the Sun covered at 8:27 a.m. AKDT. In the contiguous U.S., Maine will receive the strongest view, reaching about a 28% partial eclipse at around 1:50 p.m. EDT. Other locations will experience varying coverage: – Boston, Massachusetts: The partial eclipse begins just after 1 p.m., reaches a maximum of 16% coverage at 1:55 p.m., and ends at 2:46 p.m. – Montpelier, Vermont: Experiences a 17% partial eclipse at 1:49 p.m. EDT. – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Experiences a 6% partial eclipse at 1:50 p.m. EDT.
Across various locations in New England, between 10% and 30% of the Sun will be covered at maximum noted by CBS Boston. Additional partial eclipse visibility extends across parts of Europe, Russia, Africa, and North America, including Alaska and portions of the northeastern and eastern U.S.
Safety Measures and Additional Astronomical Events
Because a partial eclipse does not darken the sky enough to notice without magnification, specialized safety gear is mandatory. Observers must use eclipse glasses labeled with ISO 12312–2 or ISO 12312–2:2015 certification when viewing the Sun at all times, as ordinary sunglasses are insufficient. Viewers using solar telescopes or filters must also ensure finder scopes are covered to prevent accidental eye damage.
Later that same evening, the astronomical lineup continues with the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower. The event typically brings 50 to 100 shooting stars per hour, and because it coincides with a new moon, the lack of moonlight will prevent the show from washing out.
