Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Alongside Solar Eclipse
Today features a unique combination of celestial events. The annual Perseid meteor shower, a favorite among skywatchers, peaks overnight from Wednesday into Thursday. It has been active since mid-July and coincides with a solar eclipse.
In areas where the eclipse occurs around sunset, you might see meteors during totality. Ideally, under clear, dark skies away from light pollution, the Perseids can produce up to 100 shooting stars per hour. This meteor shower is notable for its fireballs, which are bright meteors that leave glowing trails.
Watching the Solar Eclipse Online
If you cannot view the eclipse in person, you can watch it online. Several organizations will provide live broadcasts. NASA’s livestream starts at 1:15 p.m. ET, and the European Space Agency will stream it on YouTube beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CEST).
Understanding Solar Eclipses
A solar eclipse happens when the sun, moon, and Earth align, with the moon blocking the sun’s light. During a total eclipse, the moon fully obscures the sun, darkening the sky. If weather permits, the sun’s outer atmosphere becomes visible during totality.
In a partial solar eclipse, only part of the sun is obscured by the moon. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon, at its farthest point from Earth, aligns with the sun. This creates a ring-like appearance as the moon covers the sun’s center.
Preparations in Villalibado, Spain
In Villalibado, Spain, NASA is preparing to broadcast the solar eclipse globally. Photos show NASA staff preparing equipment, including helium cylinders, and visitors setting up telescopes for the event.
Impact on European Tourism
The eclipse has attracted around 450,000 tourists to Spain, eager for a view of the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The path of totality travels over Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain. Spain expects significant economic benefits, estimating revenue of 347 million euros, or about $400 million, from related tourism.
Anticipation for the Eclipse Across Several Regions
The total solar eclipse is eagerly awaited and will darken skies in Spain, parts of Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Russia. The eclipse path cuts across the Arctic into southern Europe, marking the first total solar eclipse from mainland Europe since 1999.
Weather allowing, a partial eclipse will be visible in most of Europe, Canada, northwestern Africa, and over 20 northern U.S. states.