A total solar eclipse is one of the most striking things you can see in the sky: daylight fades, the temperature drops and the Sun's glowing outer atmosphere appears around a black Moon.
A total solar eclipse is one of the most striking things you can see in the sky: daylight fades, the temperature drops and the Sun's glowing outer atmosphere appears around a black Moon. This lesson explains the different kinds of eclipse, the one safety rule you must never break, and why 2 August 2027 is worth planning for.
Solar eclipses come in three main kinds, depending on how well the Moon covers the Sun from where you stand.
Except during totality, never look at the Sun without certified protection. Even with 99% of the Sun covered, the thin sliver left is as intense as the full Sun and can burn the retina, without any pain.
The path of totality crosses southern Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Ceuta gets the longest totality in Spain, at about 4 minutes 48 seconds. Outside the path the eclipse is partial: about 86% of the Sun is covered in Madrid and 95% in Cairo.
Very dark sunglasses are fine for an eclipse.
Even the darkest sunglasses let through thousands of times too much light. Only certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or a solar viewer are safe.
When most of the Sun is covered, it is safe to look.
Even a 1% sliver is as intense as the full Sun. Only total coverage, inside the path of totality, is safe without glasses.
You now know the different kinds of eclipse, how to watch safely and what makes 2 August 2027 special. The eclipse page has the path, timings for each city and how much of the Sun is covered where you are.