KARACHI: The year’s last total solar eclipse will occur on the night of August 12-13, but it will not be visible in the country, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday.
The PMD said the eclipse would begin at 8:34pm Pakistan Standard Time on August 12, reach its peak at 10:46pm and end at 12:58am on August 13.
It added that a total solar eclipse would be visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Russia, while a partial eclipse would be observed across parts of Europe, Africa and the Americas.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, temporarily blocking sunlight and casting a shadow on parts of the planet.
The August 12 event is particularly significant as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 2006.
Along the path of totality, the Moon will completely cover the Sun, briefly turning day into twilight and revealing the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
Astronomers note that while one or two solar eclipses occur globally each year, total eclipses are relatively rare for any specific location because the Moon’s shadow covers only a narrow path across the Earth’s surface.
Future eclipses
On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Its totality will last six minutes and 23 seconds. A longer eclipse will not occur until 2114.
Spain will be treated yet again on January 26, 2028, when an annular eclipse — or “ring of fire” — will cross southern areas.
Lunar eclipse later this month
The PMD also announced that a partial lunar eclipse would occur on August 28. However, it said the lunar eclipse would likewise not be visible in Pakistan.
Experts advise against looking directly at the Sun during an eclipse without certified eye protection, as doing so can cause serious and permanent eye damage.
— Additional input from AFP
2026-08-06 15:13:00
