Latest news with #solareclipse
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Solar eclipse 2026: A traveller's guide to the best places to be when the light goes out
On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the surface of the earth. At sunrise it will be visible in the far north of Siberia in Russia. The 'path of totality' will then cross Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain (plus a tiny corner of Portugal). Only a tiny proportion of humanity has ever witnessed a total eclipse – but the Spanish crossing, at the height of the tourist season, will provide an astronomical experience for millions in many alluring locations. Here's everything you need to know about why you witness this phenomenon – and where to be to make the most of the experience. What happens during a total solar eclipse? The greatest show on earth comes courtesy of the lifeless moon. Normally the orbiting lunar lump merely provides earth with tides, moonlight and somewhere to aim space rockets. But roughly once a year the natural satellite aligns with the sun and, thanks to a geometric miracle, blots out the hub of the solar system to create a total eclipse. 'Even though the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, it's also about 400 times closer to earth than the sun is,' says Nasa. 'This means that from earth, the moon and the sun appear to be roughly the same size in the sky.' A narrow band marking the 'path of totality' carves an arc of darkness across the surface of our planet. If you are somewhere on that line at the predicted time, and you have clear skies, then the experience will become a lifelong memory. The closer you are to the centre of the path of totality, the longer the total eclipse will last. The longest totality in 2026 will be in the far north of Iceland. What's so good about seeing an eclipse? In the days leading up to the eclipse, locations in the path of totality acquire something of a carnival atmosphere as astronomical tourists converge in excited anticipation. On the day, the cosmological performance begins with a warm-up lasting more than an hour, during which the moon steadily nibbles away at the surface of the sun. Suddenly, you experience totality. The stars and planets appear in the middle of the day. The air chills. To testify to the heavenly fit between our two most familiar heavenly bodies, faint diamonds known as Baily's beads peek out from behind the moon. They actually comprise light from the sun slipping through lunar valleys. A sight to behold – so long as you can see the moon blotting out the sun and appreciate the mathematical perfection of nature in our corner of the galaxy. Eclipses are entirely predictable: we know the stripes that the next few dozen will paint upon the surface of the Earth. But the weather is not. Cloud cover, which blighted the Cornwall eclipse in 1999, downgrades a cosmological marvel to an eerie daytime gloom. Almost as predictable as the eclipse is that traffic aiming towards the path of totality in Spain will be heavy on the morning of 12 August 2026 – and that accommodation rates will soar to astronomical levels. Where will the great European eclipse 2026 be visible in Spain? The stripe of darkness will traverse the great cities of Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia in mainland Spain before arriving in Palma de Mallorca. Where should I be for the best experience? The weather prospects for the Mediterranean locations are better than for Atlantic Spain, but the area around Zaragoza is likely to be best of all. There are no guarantees of clear skies: all you can do is play the odds based on the record of cloud cover for the corresponding date in previous years. In 2024, during the great North American eclipse, all the predictions went out of the celestial window: Montreal in Canada, which had been regarded as a low-likelihood location because of usually cloudy skies in April, suddenly became the star of the show. Any alternative to being on land? Yes, a number of cruise lines will ensure their vessels are on the path of totality during the eclipse – predominantly between mainland Spain and Mallorca. They will have a certain amount of flexibility to move according to the weather forecasts. Do I need special eclipse goggles? Yes. The US National Solar Observatory says: 'During totality, you may view the sun without proper eye protection, such as solar glasses. But during all other phases of the eclipse, you should only look at the sun when your eyes are protected.' Eclipse viewing glasses will be widely available at the key locations on the line of totality I'll be in Spain (or Portugal) anyway – will I see a partial eclipse without needing to move? Viewers in much of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as France, will, if skies are clear, witness a partial eclipse. But there is nothing to compare with a total eclipse. The astronomer Dr John Mason, who has guided dozens of eclipse trips (and will be doing so again in 2026), sums up the difference between a 99 per cent partial eclipse and a total eclipse as far apart as 'a peck on the cheek and a night of passion'. You must use special eclipse safety glasses or viewers when viewing a partial eclipse – organise these in advance. When are the next total solar eclipses? The following summer (2 August 2027), the southern tip of mainland Spain is in the path of totality for an eclipse that will sweep across North Africa and the Arabian peninsula: going east from the Strait of Gibraltar, it will encompass Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, the northeasternmost corner of Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Just under 12 months later, on 22 July 2028, Outback Australia will be the place to be. A total eclipse will make landfall in northern Western Australia, sweep across the Northern Territory and part of southwest Queensland – then clean across New South Wales, with Sydney in the middle of the path of totality. Winter cloud cover could disrupt the experience in Australia's largest city – and is very likely in the southern portion of New Zealand's South Island where the eclipse reaches a finale. Australia also features in the cosmological plans on 25 November 2030. This is early summer in the southern hemisphere, and there are likely to be good conditions for viewing in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa (Durban is on the path of totality) as well as South Australia.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
To See The Next Total Solar Eclipse, Book Now — Here's Why
Chilean man in traditional hat watching total solar eclipse, Vicuña Chile The last total solar eclipse was 456 days ago in North America, and the next one is in 400 days in Europe. On Aug. 12, 2026, a short totality will darken the day as seen from eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain. There are fabulous travel experiences to be had, from the fjords of Scoresby Sun and a festival on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the plains of Spain and a sunset eclipse from the Balearic Islands. However, Why This Eclipse Will Be So Busy The total solar eclipse in 2026 will be the first in mainland Europe since 1999 when totality flashed across the globe from the U.K. to India via Eastern Europe and the Middle East. According to approximately 71 million people viewed it. Most Europeans have not seen a total solar eclipse in so long that they will travel — mainly to Spain, but also to Iceland. Here's why there will be so much demand for this eclipse: A map of the path of totality on Aug. 12, 2026. Why You Should Book Your Eclipse Trip Very Soon If the above reasons are driving demand, there's another very specific reason why you should try to book your travel arrangements as soon as possible. On August 12 this year, a number of articles will be published and a lot of fuss will be made about the one-year countdown to mainland Europe's first eclipse in a generation. Demand will spike for plane tickets, hotels and organized tours. If you can secure a spot before the one-year countdown, you may have a chance to book travel and accommodation. So book now — or risk missing one of nature's grandest spectacles. Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Spain On Aug. 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain, with key cities including León, Palencia and Burgos, where clear skies are likely. It's crucial to note that in Spain, the eclipse occurs just before sunset, which means a dramatic experience — but also an uncertain one. Sightlines must be checked out in advance using this new map from the Instituto Geográfico Nacional. Coastal regions may experience more variable weather, but August typically brings warm, dry conditions that are ideal for eclipse viewing. Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Iceland Reykjavík will lie within the path of totality for a rare total solar eclipse. Totality in the capital is expected to last approximately 1 minute. The moon's umbral shadow will move across the western part of Iceland, with Reykjavík, the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Westfjördurprime views. Weather-wise, Iceland tends to have a lower chance of clear skies in August than Spain; however, a sunny day is still entirely possible. Eclipse chasers should read Iceland's excellent weather forecasts and have a vehicle to travel to this late-afternoon eclipse, Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Greenland A rare Arctic eclipse experience is available in Greenland, where a cluster of approximately a dozen cruise ships will gather on August 12, 2026. The favored location is Scorsby Sund, where there's a good chance of a clear sky, thanks to Greenland's topography. Disclaimer: I am the author of the Complete Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Greenland, Iceland and Spain and editor of Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Centerville exhibit showcasing astrophotography through July
Video: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Coverage. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Astrophotography will be on display in Centerville throughout July. The city announced that a new exhibit home to the work of Dudley Fields, Dr. Matthew Lopper and Dr. Brian Kent will be available to enjoy at the Centerville Art Gallery inside the lobby of the police department. The exhibit will display 42 prints of eclipses, planets, comets, galaxies, nebulae, the sun and the moon. 'This exhibit offers a unique glimpse into the universe with over 90 percent of the photographs taken in Greene and Montgomery Counties,' said a city spokesperson. Fields became fixated on the stars in 1957, after receiving his first telescope. Meanwhile, Dr. Lopper, a professor at the University of Dayton, developed a passion for astronomy after witnessing Haley's Comet in 1986. Dr. Kent always held an interest for outer space, but began taking pictures of the sky after retiring from his career as an electrical engineer. Call 937-433-7151 or click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Travel + Leisure
25-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Cruise Line Has 2 Sailings to Experience the 2027 Solar Eclipse
The next solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, is still more than a year away. But one cruise line is already planning voyages for the next iteration of the celestial event that will occur in 2027. Holland America Line, a Travel + Leisure World's Best winner for midsize-ship ocean cruise lines, has unveiled two new itineraries for the rare sky event, which will take place on on Aug. 2, 2027. This eclipse will last around six minutes—almost two minutes longer than 2024's solar eclipse. Both Nieuw Statendam and Oosterdam will be anchored off the coast of North Africa to catch the eclipse's path of totality, as part of longer itineraries cruising the Mediterranean. The 28-Day Legendary Iberian Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer departs from Rotterdam, Netherlands, on July 10, 2027. On this voyage, you can watch the eclipse from the 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam while it's anchored off the coast of Morocco on the 24th day of the sailing. The itinerary includes visits to ports in Denmark, the U.K., France, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Expect shore excursions that complement the astronomical theme, such as a visit to Stonehenge in England, a historic site believed to have been constructed to align with the winter and summer solstices. On the shorter 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery, which departs from Athens, Greece, on July 31, you can watch the eclipse from Tunisia during the cruise's third day aboard the 1,964-passenger Oosterdam . Afterwards, the ship will set sail toward other ports in Greece, Malta, and Italy. You'll also be able to look forward to activities like a visit to the astronomical clock of the Cathedral of Messina in Sicily, one of the largest of its kind. As solar eclipse tourism experiences a surge in popularity, many cruise lines are adding itineraries to ensure their vessels are in the right place at the right time to catch the moment the sun vanishes behind the moon's shadow. 'The excitement around viewing a total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable and we jumped at the chance to create more itineraries that give our guests the incomparable opportunity of viewing the eclipse at sea,' said Paul Grigsby, Holland America Line's vice president of deployment, in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure. 'When you're at sea, there is a greater opportunity to witness an eclipse in the clear because the ship can attempt to position itself away from cloud cover—and the view on the horizon means you get more of the shadow coming in and going out,' he said in the statement. No matter which sailing you pick, you can expect a busy onboard program of enrichment activities and expert-led lectures centered around eclipses. And don't worry about packing any special equipment—the ships will have eclipse glasses ready for passengers to wear. Reservations are now open for both sailings, with early booking offers currently available.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Trailblazing Satellite Mission Delivers Its First Artificial Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse is a marvel. This quirk of the complex interplay between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun doesn't just remind us of the wonders of the cosmos – it gives us a window into the Sun we rarely get to see. More specifically, with the Moon blotting out the main disk of the Sun, we can see details and features in the solar atmosphere, or corona, that are usually obscured from view. Now, a new satellite observatory has given us a way to watch an eclipse every single day. It's the European Space Agency's Proba-3, and it's a marvelous feat of engineering. It consists of two separate spacecraft, the Coronagraph and the Occulter, that fly in precise formation separated by a distance of 150 meters (492 feet) – about 1.4 football fields. In this configuration, the Occulter orients itself to block the disk of the Sun, while the Coronagraph snaps observations of the corona in different wavelengths using its ASPIICS instrument, which stands for Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun. After performing this magnificent feat for several hours without any input from ground control, the mission has now delivered its first artificial eclipse observations. "Each full image – covering the area from the occulted Sun all the way to the edge of the field of view – is actually constructed from three images. The difference between those is only the exposure time, which determines how long the coronagraph's aperture is exposed to light. Combining the three images gives us the full view of the corona," explains ASPIICS principal investigator Andrei Zhukov of the Royal Observatory of Belgium. "Our 'artificial eclipse' images are comparable with those taken during a natural eclipse. The difference is that we can create our eclipse once every 19.6-hour orbit, while total solar eclipses only occur naturally around once, very rarely twice a year. On top of that, natural total eclipses only last a few minutes, while Proba-3 can hold its artificial eclipse for up to six hours." The resulting images show different properties of the hot solar corona. An image colored dark green shows ionized iron that has lost electrons due to the high temperatures. This reveals the hottest parts of the corona, and the image captured a loop structure associated with a solar flare. An image colored yellow shows helium, and managed to snap a solar prominence, a large loop of plasma arcing out of the surface of the Sun. A third image, colored violet, shows helmet streamers in white light. Another image in lighter green shows what the Sun might look like from Earth during a solar eclipse. For another image, three spacecraft team up with simultaneous observations. Proba-2 captures the Sun itself in extreme ultraviolet light, while Proba-3 captures the corona and ESA solar observatory SOHO focuses on the outer atmosphere. The observatory has not yet commenced its true science observations. It's in the commissioning phase, in which its systems undergo extensive testing to make sure they're working as intended; although observations taken during this stage can be used for research and analysis. So this is just the beginning of Proba-3's journey, and a bold new realm of formation spacecraft. With a solar eclipse observable every 20 hours, we expect we're about to learn a lot more about our wild, beautiful Sun. NASA Teams Up With India to Launch First-of-Its-Kind $1.5 Billion Satellite Volcano Found Hiding 'In Plain Sight' Right Next to NASA Mars Rover NASA Satellite Glimpses Giant Volcano Peeking Above The Clouds of Mars
