Rare solar eclipse over Croatia: Europe’s first total eclipse in 27 years set for 12 August

Skywatchers across Europe are preparing for a rare astronomical event on 12 August, when the continent will experience its first total solar eclipse since 1999.

While the path of totality will pass across parts of Spain and Iceland, people in Croatia will still be treated to a spectacular partial solar eclipse, with as much as 85% of the Sun covered in some areas.

Croatian astronomy enthusiast and eclipse chaser Boris Štromar, who has travelled the world to witness total solar eclipses, tells Večernji list the event will be one of the highlights of the year for anyone interested in the night sky.

Štromar first experienced a total solar eclipse in neighbouring Hungary during the 1999 event, when southern Hungary lay in the path of totality. Since then, he has travelled internationally to observe several more eclipses and will head to Spain this August to witness the phenomenon once again.

He explains that even a 99% partial eclipse cannot match the experience of a total eclipse.

During totality, the Moon completely blocks the Sun, plunging the landscape into darkness for around 90 seconds. The Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, becomes visible, creating one of nature’s most striking spectacles.

Štromar says the atmosphere changes dramatically as daylight fades, temperatures drop and the excitement among observers builds. He recalls that the brief period of totality feels as though it passes “ten times faster” than expected, with cheers and excitement often erupting as darkness falls.

Although Croatia will not experience totality, the partial eclipse is still expected to provide an impressive display for observers across the country.

Astronomers also remind the public that the Sun should never be viewed directly without certified eclipse glasses or suitable solar filters, as looking at it with the naked eye can cause permanent eye damage.

For astronomy enthusiasts across Croatia and Europe, 12 August promises to be one of the most memorable celestial events in decades.