The solar eclipse on August 12th will be clearly visible from the River, lasting 101 minutes.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Europe, North America, and western Africa on August 12, with the best viewing conditions in Croatia’s Kvarner region and Istria, where nearly 90 percent of the sun's disk will be covered by the moon. In Rijeka, 79.67 percent of the sun will be obscured during the eclipse’s peak. The event marks the first time in over a century that a total solar eclipse will occur on mainland Spain, just before sunset over the Iberian Peninsula. The shadow of the moon will begin near the North Pole and travel south along a path of approximately 8,260 kilometers, mostly above the Atlantic Ocean, reaching maximum coverage west of Iceland’s coast. The eclipse will begin at 19:27 local time, reach its peak at 20:11, and last until 21:08. Due to its timing, just before sunset, the sun will be very low on the horizon, creating dramatic and photogenic views. This unique positioning has generated particular interest among scientists and observers. According to data published on the Time and Date website, the eclipse will be visible from a wide range of locations, including Alaska, Siberia, Canada, northern United States, much of Europe, and western Africa. Coverage percentages vary significantly depending on location, with Dublin experiencing 94 percent coverage, Oslo 83 percent, Montreal 18 percent, New York nine percent, and Norfolk in Virginia only two percent. In Croatia, the best viewing conditions will be in the Kvarner region and Istria, where the moon will cover almost 90 percent of the sun’s diameter at the eclipse’s peak. The event coincides with other celestial phenomena occurring on the same day. Before dawn, a rare arc of six planets will appear in the sky, while after nightfall, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its zenith. Michael Zeiler, author of eclipse maps, expressed excitement about observing such rare occurrences, emphasizing their significance both scientifically and visually. The European Space Agency (ESA) will broadcast live coverage from the Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre in Spain, while NASA and other projects will also monitor the eclipse. Carole Mundell, director of science at ESA, described the event as not only a scientific moment but also a deeply human one, highlighting the alignment of celestial bodies as a profound experience. Researchers in the United States plan to launch more than 60 high-altitude balloons from Spain and Iceland to study atmospheric changes during the brief temperature drop associated with the eclipse. Special attention is already being given to the year 2027, when a longer total solar eclipse is expected, lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds over southern Spain and parts of northern Africa and the Middle East. It is crucial to emphasize that certified solar-viewing glasses (ISO 12312-2) or appropriate solar filters for telescopes and binoculars are necessary for safely observing the eclipse. Looking directly at the sun without protection can cause permanent eye damage. The last solar eclipse visible from Europe occurred on March 29, 2025, when much of the continent could observe a partial eclipse. In Croatia, it was also visible as a partial eclipse, with coverage ranging from 10 to 20 percent depending on location. The last total solar eclipse passing through parts of Europe was on March 29, 2006, affecting areas of Greece, Turkey, and the European part of Russia. For western and central Europe, the last major total solar eclipse took place on August 11, 1999, with the totality path crossing France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and other countries.