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Total Solar Eclipse to Cross Europe and North Atlantic on August 12

8 sources across 7 countries

Who reported this

  • Clarin Argentina · Centre-right · Grupo Clarin
  • Infobae Argentina · Centre-right · Daniel Hadad
  • G1 Brazil · Centre-left · Grupo Globo (Marinho family)
  • Sueddeutsche Zeitung Germany · Centre-left · Sudwestdeutsche Medien Holding
  • Tempo English Indonesia · Centre-left · PT Tempo Inti Media
  • El Pais Spain · Centre-left · Grupo PRISA
  • Financial Times United Kingdom · Centre · Nikkei Inc.
  • CNN United States · Centre-left · Warner Bros. Discovery

What the colours mean

  • Left
  • Centre-left
  • Centre
  • Centre-right
  • Right
  • A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.

Political lean describes where an outlet sits within the politics of its own country. It is never a position on a single global scale.

Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.

The owner of each outlet is listed as a matter of record, not as a judgement about the outlet.

A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, crossing a path of totality that includes parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a small area of Portugal. In these regions, the moon will completely block the sun for a brief period, with the maximum duration of darkness lasting slightly over two minutes in some locations. Observers in other parts of Europe, North Africa, and North America will witness a partial eclipse, while the phenomenon will not be visible in Brazil. In Madrid, the sun will be covered by approximately 99.9 percent of the moon, though total darkness will be available in the northern Sierra de Guadarrama and Guadalajara regions.

Authorities and experts have issued strong warnings regarding eye safety. Certified eclipse glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 safety standard are required for direct viewing. Specialists warn that ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, or homemade filters do not provide adequate protection and can lead to permanent retinal damage. In the United Kingdom, where the moon will obscure more than 90 percent of the sun, high demand has led to certified glasses selling out at several major retailers.

The event has triggered significant logistical and economic impacts. Hotel prices have surged in Iceland and Spain as tourists flock to the path of totality. In Spain, the government established a commission involving 13 ministries to manage the expected influx of visitors, with some estimates suggesting up to 1.5 million additional car trips. To assist the public, official observation points have been established, including nearly 500 sites in Spain. In the town of Daroca, Zaragoza, the event is highlighting local historical sites such as its 16th century mine and medieval walls. Scientists are also using the event for research, with some attempting to observe auroras and the Perseid meteor shower simultaneously during totality.

How each side framed it

Centre-left
These outlets focused on the scientific nature of the event, safety warnings, and the general public experience.
Centre
These outlets highlighted the economic impact and the surge in travel costs associated with the event.
Centre-right
These outlets emphasized practical travel tips, specific local destinations, and the tourism potential for smaller towns.

Sources

90% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.