Total Eclipse Wows Europe and Beyond
By Leon Lien/John Van Trieste
A total eclipse has brought people out into the streets in Europe and even far beyond. It was the first total eclipse visible from Europe since 1999.
Solar Eclipse Wows Europe
REPORTER:
A cheer erupts as the moon obscures the last traces of sunlight. It’s a total eclipse, and the tiny Spanish village of Arcos de las Salinas is one of the best viewing spots.
But much of Europe has a pretty good view—and people across the continent stepped outdoors for a look at a display not seen in this part of the world since 1999.
The Eiffel Tower becomes a stark silhouette in the fading light. For visitors to Paris, it’s a magical place to take in a magical sight.
And at least one birthday boy, 10-year-old Artur, is here to make a lifelong memory.
Sophie Rouwens (VISITOR FROM LYON, FRANCE):
When we found out there was going to be an eclipse on August 12, well, I tried to time our trip to coincide with the eclipse - and, most importantly, to take him up the Eiffel Tower so he could watch it from almost the best spot in all of France... because it’s just so special, you know? It’s only going to happen once.
Artur:
Oh yeah, it’s so cool. Plus, we’ve been waiting to go to Paris since last year.
REPORTER:
Parisians are out in droves too—and volunteers are making sure the eclipse viewing is safe for everyone.
Julien Gouffier (VOLUNTEER, FRENCH ASTRONOMY ASSOCIATION):
The thing is we are distributing the maximum of those glasses as possible to avoid any damage on the eyes. Even though the sun will be pretty low, it's still dangerous to look at the sun directly during the eclipse.
REPORTER:
Darkness descends over the Thames as the moon starts to block out the sun.
Here, in London, the eclipse isn’t quite total, but that doesn’t dampen the mood for those who’ve come outside to watch.
Louis Alexander (CIVIL SERVANT):
It was really good. Yeah. I mean, getting to watch on Westminster Bridge, looking at, you know, Big Ben in the background. And yeah, got, you know, see it got darker and darker and then, see, what was it, 91%? It's not bad. Yeah.
REPORTER:
People aren’t just watching the show from the ground. Back in Spain, these passengers have bought tickets for a very special flight—Madrid to Madrid—to see the eclipse from the air.
Hugo (PASSENGER):
What we saw was unique, especially from here. From a plane, from this height, with these people, in silence. It’s not like seeing in the street with glasses, it’s different.
REPORTER:
Even outside of Europe, people gathered outside to see what they could of this rare event. In Tunisia, in northern Africa, the Mediterranean coast was packed to see a roughly 60% eclipse.
Despite fog and rain, Greenlanders were able to catch some of the action, too.
For those who missed this year’s eclipse, it’s not all doom and gloom: skies over Europe will darken again on August 2 next year in another total eclipse—a rare second chance to marvel at a great spectacle in the sky.
