Total solar eclipse visible in Iceland and Spain, partial one seen from Latvia
On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, a partial solar eclipse is visible across Europe, while a narrow band running through Iceland and Spain experiences a total eclipse. Several dozen astronomy enthusiasts from Latvia have travelled to Spain to witness the full event.
On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, a solar eclipse is taking place over Europe, appearing as a partial event across most of the continent. However, in a relatively narrow band crossing Iceland and Spain, the Moon fully covers the Sun, giving observers there the chance to experience a total eclipse.
Latvians travel to Spain
To witness this rarer celestial phenomenon in its complete form, several dozen astronomy enthusiasts from Latvia have travelled to Spain for the occasion. In Latvia itself, only a partial eclipse will be visible, since the country lies outside the path of totality.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, fully blocking the solar disk and briefly creating a twilight-like darkness along the narrow path the eclipse's shadow traces across the planet. Because such an event is rarely visible from any single location on Earth, it draws attention from both scientists and amateur astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.
