Future Technology[Daily Briefing] Europe's first eclipse in 27 years ð Robot IPO hits $9B ð¤
Tomorrow s Solar Eclipse: A Once-in-27-Years Show for Europe
Tomorrow afternoon, the Moon will blot out the Sun across a 305 km path stretching from Greenland through Iceland into northern Spain. It is the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999, and the first from mainland Spain since 1905.
Totality begins around 18:27 GMT in western Spain and lasts up to 110 seconds. Cities in the path include Bilbao, Santander, Valladolid, Burgos, Zaragoza and Valencia. Madrid and Barcelona just miss out at 99.9% coverage. Around 980 million people will see some degree of coverage.
The eclipse falls during sunset, adding a golden backdrop to an already rare celestial event. ESA is hosting live broadcasts for those outside the path.
Why it matters: Total solar eclipses let scientists study the Sun s corona, calibrate instruments and test predictions from general relativity. For everyone else, a sunset eclipse across Europe is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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Quick Hits
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Tool of the Day: Eclipse Viewing Glasses
If you are anywhere near the eclipse path tomorrow, do not look at the Sun without proper ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses are not safe. A decent pair costs a few pounds and could save your eyesight. Worth having a pack around for any future partial eclipses too.
What are you planning for the eclipse tomorrow? Just watching from wherever you are, or making a trip to the path of totality? Hit reply, I read every one.
Nath, Future Technology
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