Eclipse mania has gripped European countries — millions of people are preparing for the "event of the century"
Kyiv • UNN
Millions of people in Spain and Iceland are preparing to watch a total solar eclipse. Authorities expect up to 6 million visitors in Spain and up to 80,000 in Iceland.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing to see a total solar eclipse on Wednesday, packing protective glasses and heading to locations where they will be able to observe the rare astronomical event in its entirety, UNN reports, citing Reuters.
Details
People's fascination with eclipses is well documented. Historically, the sudden darkening of the sky was often interpreted as an omen, a cosmic struggle, or a sign of divine power.
Modern sky-watchers seek to experience that same strange feeling when day briefly turns to twilight and some animals fall silent as the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun.
"I hope a wonderful generation of astrophysicists will emerge this evening," said Juan Cruz, Spain's Secretary of State for Science. "It is such a special moment," he noted.
According to Cruz, authorities expect up to 6 million visitors, mostly in rural areas along the eclipse's path in northern Spain and the Balearic Islands. In Spain, the eclipse will quickly be followed by sunset, making the event especially attractive.
As this year's eclipse coincides with one of the periods of highest wildfire risk, Spain has deployed a large-scale police operation and public safety campaign.
The government also sees this as an opportunity to showcase rarely visited regions and help address overtourism on the coast by redirecting crowds away from overcrowded beach resorts.
The Iberian Peninsula last saw a total solar eclipse in 1912. Another eclipse is expected to occur on August 2, 2027, followed by an annular eclipse in January 2028, completing the so-called "Iberian eclipse trio."
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In Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, eclipse glasses have been sold out for several days, as the Scandinavian country, with a population of approximately 400,000, expects to host up to 80,000 visitors.
The narrow path of totality will reach Iceland's westernmost coast at approximately 17:44 (20:44 Kyiv time), before the Moon's shadow heads eastward.
The total eclipse will last up to 2 minutes and 13 seconds in the far west, although periods of darkness will be shorter in most towns. Authorities have warned of heavy traffic and urged viewers to arrive early.
Singer Björk was scheduled to perform with a DJ at an eclipse-themed event south of Reykjavik.
The U.S. space agency NASA plans to launch a WB-57 high-altitude aircraft from Iceland to track the Moon's shadow, while NASA-funded teams will launch balloons to study how the sudden darkness and cooling affect the lower layers of the atmosphere.
In addition to casual observers, the event is also attracting "eclipse chasers," enthusiasts who travel across the world to be in the path of totality whenever an eclipse occurs.
Gordon Telepun, a retired plastic surgeon and amateur astronomer from the United States who has photographed six total eclipses, said he would watch this one from the island of Mallorca, as Spain meets all the requirements for those who want to observe eclipses.
"In August, the weather conditions here are quite acceptable, the duration of totality is decent at more than a minute and a half, and it is easy to get there," he said.