August solar eclipse: Path and viewing locations for NASA-studied phenomenon

An extraordinary astronomical event, a total solar eclipse, is set to captivate observers on August 12. The eclipse's path will traverse the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and extend into parts of Europe, offering a spectacular celestial display. NASA has provided detailed maps and informational materials to track the moon's shadow and identify regions where the phenomenon will be visible.

The path of totality, where the moon completely obscures the sun, begins in the far north of Siberia and moves across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, and the North Atlantic before reaching Spain and a small area of Portugal. In most Spanish cities, the totality will occur in the late afternoon, with the sun near the horizon. The duration of complete darkness will be brief, lasting less than two minutes in most locations along the central path, with a few areas over the North Atlantic experiencing up to two and a half minutes.

While the total eclipse is confined to a specific band, a partial solar eclipse will be observable across a much broader region of the Northern Hemisphere. This includes Alaska and parts of the northeastern and eastern United States, as well as much of Canada. Europe will also witness a partial eclipse outside the main path, with cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Milan experiencing a partial obscuration of the sun. The phenomenon will also reach northwestern Africa, including Casablanca and Algiers, where sunset will coincide with the eclipse.

NASA plans to leverage this rare opportunity to study the sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere. During the brief minutes of totality, the moon's obstruction of direct sunlight makes the corona visible, allowing for data collection that is impossible under normal conditions. The agency will combine observations from ground-based telescopes, satellites, and specialized aircraft to enhance the study of the corona's structure and behavior. Citizen science programs are also encouraged to gather additional data from observers worldwide.