Millions across Europe are watching the solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, with Spain expecting its first total eclipse in over a century. In Croatia, the eclipse began between 7:25 and 7:30 PM.
The solar eclipse began this evening, with many observers in the west watching as the Moon covered the Sun over parts of Europe. For Spain, this is the first total eclipse in over a hundred years, according to Telegram.hr. The Moon began crossing the Sun just before sunset, creating a scene resembling twilight or complete darkness in some areas.
UNIAN reports that a partial eclipse is already visible in the sky over Ukraine. The best visibility will be in the western regions, where the Moon will cover about 40 percent of the Sun. Across Europe, thousands gathered to see the Sun "disappear" for one minute and 45 seconds.
From the Zagreb Observatory, they emphasize that the uniqueness of this eclipse is that it will occur just before sunset. During the phenomenon, the Sun will be very close to the western horizon, and in all parts of Croatia, it will set before the eclipse reaches its peak.
In most Croatian cities, the eclipse began between 7:25 PM and 7:30 PM. In Zagreb, the first contact was at 7:25 PM, in Rijeka around 7:27 PM, in Pula at 7:28 PM, in Zadar at 7:29 PM, in Split at 7:29 PM, in Osijek at 7:26 PM, and in Dubrovnik around 7:30 PM. The Sun will then set between 7:53 PM and 8:17 PM, depending on the observer's location, as stated by the Zagreb Observatory.
According to Jutarnji list, the most spectacular view of the partial eclipse in Croatia is expected just before sunset, around 8:05 PM. Photos of the eclipse have already been taken from Zagreb, with the timing and intensity varying depending on the observer's location.
Experts warn that it is essential to wear certified protective glasses when looking at the Sun, even when it is partially covered by the Moon, to avoid the risk of permanent eye damage. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection, so for direct observation of the Sun, appropriate certified protective glasses or solar filters are necessary. According to forecasts, cloud cover is unlikely to hinder visibility of this astronomical event.
In Spain, authorities are also on alert due to the possibility of wildfires. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be outdoors to observe the eclipse, raising concerns that crowds could increase the fire risk. Interest in Spain is so high that major traffic jams have formed on some roads, as reported by Index.hr.
The total phase of the eclipse is visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, as well as a very small part of Portugal, while the partial eclipse can be observed from much of Europe. Photos are already coming in from numerous European countries.
