There are astronomical phenomena that you wouldn’t want to miss for anything in the world. Among these, the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 promises to be particularly rare since the last one occurred on August 11, 1999, and the next of its kind is expected on September 3, 2081, according to the French Astronomy Association (AFA).
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A total eclipse visible across Europe!
For a few minutes, part of the world will be plunged into darkness as the Moon perfectly aligns itself between the Earth and the Sun. Only a small ring of light will be visible. According to the Société astronomique de France, “the path of totality will move across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, before reaching Portugal and northern Spain, all the way to the island of Mallorca .”
In France, residents on the West Coast will have the best view of this eclipse. In the North and in Paris, it will only be partially visible between 7 PM and 9 PM. In the capital, “92% of the sun will be covered.”
à 20h17 », the AFA specifies. The whole of France will be able to observe this phenomenon « nearly 90% ».
Safety measures to take for observing the eclipse
If this total solar eclipse promises to be a majestic historic spectacle, there are some safety guidelines to follow. Looking at the sun with the naked eye can cause retinal burns. Therefore, it is essential to have appropriate eye protection, with filters that meet the ISO 123 12-2 standard.
The « Eclipse info » system, created in 1999, aims to inform as many people as possible, but also to « ensure the availability of protection measures that meet the standards ».
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