A total solar eclipse is one of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena that can be observed from Earth. It occurs when the Moon passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun and its shadow falls on the Earth’s surface. Because the Moon is approximately 400 times smaller than the Sun but at the same time about 400 times closer to Earth, it can almost completely cover the Sun’s disk in the sky. During the total phase, the bright Sun disappears for a moment, and a delicate solar corona appears around the dark lunar disk.
From the perspective of the Earth as a whole, a solar eclipse is not an exceptional phenomenon—it occurs several times a year. However, a total eclipse is very rare from any specific location. The path along which the total phase can be observed is only a few hundred kilometers wide and passes through a different part of the Earth during each eclipse. As a result, astronomers and enthusiastic observers often travel thousands of kilometers to witness it.
“Our group of students from the astronomy course at Masaryk University’s University of the Third Age also set out to witness this year’s total solar eclipse. On Saturday, August 8, we set off for Spain, where we will observe this rare astronomical phenomenon directly within the path of totality on August 12,” explains lead organizer Miloslav Zejda. The “teaching staff” consists of faculty members from the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics.
But the trip won’t be solely about astronomy. During the expedition, participants can also look forward to a number of cultural and natural attractions. For example, they will visit the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Garrotxa Volcanic Park, the sights of Zaragoza, and the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
So what will happen today?
On Wednesday, August 12, as the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, it will gradually begin to pass across the Sun’s disk. In the path of totality, which will pass through northern Spain, among other places, the Moon will completely cover the Sun for a short time. Within a few moments, the day will grow significantly darker, the temperature will drop, and the solar corona—the outer part of the Sun’s atmosphere, which we cannot see on a normal day due to the Sun’s brightness—will appear in the sky.
This total eclipse will also be an extraordinary event for Europe. It will be visible from Europe for the first time in 27 years, and Spain is among the locations where the total phase will be observable. For participants in the expedition, this will be a unique opportunity to experience one of the most spectacular moments the daytime sky has to offer.
The Eclipse Will Also Be Visible from the Czech Republic
Even those who stay in the Czech Republic won’t miss out on this fascinating spectacle. The eclipse will be visible here as a significant partial eclipse—the Moon will cover more than 85 percent of the Sun’s disk. It will be the most significant partial solar eclipse visible from Central Europe until 2075.
In the Czech Republic, the eclipse will begin around 7:20 p.m. CEST, and totality will occur shortly after 8:00 p.m. By that time, the Sun will already be very low above the western horizon and will set shortly thereafter. Therefore, to observe the eclipse, you’ll need to find a spot with the best possible view toward the west.
In Brno, the eclipse will be even more dramatic at its peak—the Moon will cover approximately 86 percent of the Sun’s disk. However, the Sun will be very low above the horizon, so choosing a suitable viewing location will be crucial.
So whether participants in the expedition are watching the total eclipse from Spain on August 12 or observers in the Czech Republic are seeing its partial phase, we are in for an astronomical event that is definitely worth paying attention to.
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