Europe's first mainland total solar eclipse since 1999 is just days away, and many British holidaymakers may find themselves in prime viewing locations. On Wednesday, August 12, the Moon will pass directly between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a dramatic shadow across parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
Where the Total Eclipse Will Be Visible
A total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely covers the Sun's visible disc, will be visible from northern Spain, the north-east corner of Portugal, eastern Greenland, western Iceland, northern Russia, and the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, much of Europe, including the UK, along with parts of Canada, the northern United States, and north-west Africa, will experience a striking partial solar eclipse. In many locations, including London, around 90 per cent of the Sun will be covered.
Those within the narrow "path of totality" will witness the Moon completely covering the Sun, plunging the landscape into daytime darkness and revealing the Sun's glowing outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This period will last for up to one minute and 40 seconds, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Spain: Major Cities in the Path
According to an ESA infographic, the following major cities in northern Spain are set to see a total eclipse: A Coruña, Bilbao, Lugo, León, Palencia, Burgos, Miranda de Ebro, Logroño, Huesca, Zaragoza, Lleida, Cervera, Igualada, Manresa, and Castellón de la Plana. Outside mainland Spain, parts of the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, also fall within the path of totality. In Mallorca, totality is expected to begin at 8.31pm CEST and last for 96 seconds.
The Agency for Tourism of the Balearic Islands says: "The eclipse will be visible from virtually anywhere across Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, so visitors are encouraged to enjoy the phenomenon from their accommodation or nearby open spaces, helping to reduce unnecessary travel and protect the islands' most environmentally sensitive areas". The rest of Spain will also enjoy a partial eclipse.
Portugal and Iceland
The north-east of Portugal also falls within the path of totality. Places expected to witness the total eclipse include Bragança, Mirandela, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Vimioso, Mogadouro, Miranda do Douro, Alfândega da Fé, and Freixo de Espada à Cinta. The rest of Portugal will see a partial solar eclipse.
In western Iceland, the path of totality will sweep across some of the country's most dramatic landscapes, including the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the Reykjanes Peninsula. In eastern Greenland, locations such as the stunning Blosseville Coast lie within the path of totality.
UK and Ireland: Partial Eclipse Coverage
While the UK and Ireland do not fall within the path of totality, parts of the British Isles will still see dramatic eclipse coverage. The Royal Observatory Greenwich says places in the south-west of the UK will see the widest eclipse coverage. Cornwall will experience around 95 per cent, while Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales will see around 94 per cent. In Truro, the eclipse will begin at around 6.18pm, reach its maximum at around 7.16pm, and finish at around 8.10pm, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.
Those on Ireland's south-west coast will see some of the highest coverage anywhere in the British Isles, with almost 97.5 per cent of the Sun covered by the Moon. Experts say the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry will offer the best views anywhere in Ireland, Cork Beo reports.
