According to NASA, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal, bringing a temporary darkness to millions of observers. As the moon’s shadow prepares to cross the globe, citizen scientists, expedition crews, and space agencies are making final preparations to capture the celestial event.
Path of Totality and Viewing Locations
According to NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, the path of totality crosses a diverse range of landscapes, offering starkly different viewing conditions. For a small, remote region in northern Russia, totality will occur mid-day. Observers in Greenland and Iceland will experience the sun going dark in the late afternoon or early evening. Meanwhile, in Spain and the northwestern tip of Portugal, the sun will not be fully eclipsed until late evening, shortly before sunset, creating an opportunity for a sunset eclipse.
Daisy Dobrijevic reported from aboard HX Expeditions’ MS Spitsbergen that her team reached East Greenland ahead of the event. Despite facing a challenging weather forecast in the Arctic, the expedition prepared alternative viewing strategies while enjoying the Greenlandic scenery. Further south, Anthony Wood reported from Valoria la Buena in northern Spain, where volunteers readied equipment.
Citizen Science and NASA Broadcasts
According to project reports, volunteers from the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative spent the final days practicing routines, checking hardware, and ensuring connectivity. Led by group lead Charles Greenwald and assisted by students like Arath Loza Hernández from the Universidad de Guadalajara, these teams aim to capture the sun’s atmosphere during totality. Their images feed into a NASA livestream designed to bring millions of viewers closer to the event.
NASA’s official broadcast is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. EDT on August 12, accessible via the agency’s live platform. The collaboration between professional astronomers from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and volunteers highlights the role citizen science plays during major astronomical alignments.
Partial Eclipse and Safety Guidelines
According to NASA, millions of people outside the narrow path of totality will experience a partial solar eclipse. Regions spanning the northern U.S. from Alaska to North Carolina, most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa will see the moon take a partial bite out of the solar disk. Observers in these areas must use certified eye protection.
Pro Tip: Never look directly at the sun without certified eclipse glasses that conform to ISO 12312-2 certification. If you lack commercial viewers, use indirect projection methods such as pinhole projectors to safely observe the partial phases.
Experts emphasize checking all solar filters for scratches or damage before use. According to NASA, viewers can only remove eye protection during the brief moments of totality when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the total solar eclipse begin?
Exact timings vary significantly by location. According to NASA, totality occurs mid-day in northern Russia, late afternoon in Greenland and Iceland, and late evening shortly before sunset in Spain.
Can I see the northern lights during the eclipse?
For observers above the Arctic Circle, since totality briefly turns day into twilight, a simultaneous aurora sighting is not impossible, though you would have to be incredibly lucky.
What happens if it is cloudy during totality?
While a perfectly blue sky is ideal, you don’t necessarily need one to enjoy the experience. Even under thin clouds, many of the most dramatic effects of totality can still be visible.
Are you traveling to the path of totality or watching the partial phases from home? Share your setup and viewing plans in the comments below, and explore our other guides on safe solar observation and eclipse photography apps.
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