A total solar eclipse is coming to Europe @esaextras

Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

When the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, it casts a shadow onto Earth's surface. For people in the darkest part of this shadow, the face of the Sun is totally blocked out, and its wispy atmosphere becomes visible.

On Wednesday 12 August, such a shadow will cross Greenland, Iceland, northeastern Portugal and Spain. With this being the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905, the European Space Agency (ESA) has decided to do something special.

ESA’s live broadcast from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre will allow anyone to experience this rare phenomenon from anywhere in the world. Meanwhile, the Agency is working with the City and University of León to organise a free in-person event, inviting people to come together for a day of interactive workshops, talks and live observations.

Find out more: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/European_solar_eclipses

Credits: European Space Agency (ESA)

Access the video on the ESA video library: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/08/A_total_solar_eclipse_is_coming_to_Europe

Our main YouTube channel: youtube.com/@EuropeanSpaceAgency

We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.

Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions

A total solar eclipse is coming to Europe

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