The world is just hours away from witnessing a rare celestial spectacle as a total solar eclipse returns for the first time since April 2024. The event will occur when the Sun, Moon and Earth align, allowing the Moon to completely block the Sun and cast its shadow across parts of the planet.
According to astronomers, the eclipse will be most clearly visible across several parts of Europe, including Spain, Iceland, Greenland, Russia and Portugal, as well as portions of northwestern Africa. It will also mark the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999, making it a particularly significant event for skywatchers in the region.
Thousands of tourists, astronomers and eclipse enthusiasts have already gathered along the path of totality to witness the phenomenon. However, forecasts of cloudy and rainy weather in some locations could affect viewing conditions.
The eclipse is expected to begin at 9:34 p.m. Bangladesh time (BST) on Wednesday, with the phase of totality lasting approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely obscuring the Sun’s visible disk. Because the Moon and the Sun appear nearly the same size from Earth, this precise alignment creates one of the most dramatic astronomical events visible from the planet’s surface.
According to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), between two and five solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth each year. Total solar eclipses, however, are relatively rare, with one becoming visible from a particular region of the world on average every 18 months. Scientists estimate that about 66 total solar eclipses occur globally each century.
Astronomers say that, weather permitting, the eclipse will provide not only a spectacular experience for the public but also valuable opportunities for scientific observation and research.
Source: NASA.