The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced that the year’s last and only total solar eclipse will take place during the night of August 12-13. Despite the significance of this celestial event, it will not be visible from any location within Pakistan.
The eclipse is set to commence at 8:34 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on August 12, reaching its peak at 10:46 pm PST, and concluding at 12:58 am PST on August 13. This astronomical phenomenon occurs when the moon moves directly between the earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun’s disk for observers situated along the path of totality.
In a significant development, the path of totality will traverse regions including Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Russia, where spectators will witness the sun being fully covered by the moon. Meanwhile, a partial solar eclipse will be observable across vast areas of Europe, Africa, and North America, where only a segment of the sun will be obscured.
The PMD reiterated that no part of Pakistan will experience either the total or partial eclipse during this event. Solar eclipses occur exclusively during a new moon phase when the sun, moon, and earth align precisely. While total solar eclipses are rare at any particular location, partial eclipses occur more frequently across different regions worldwide.
Astronomers caution that solar eclipses should never be viewed directly with the naked eye except during the brief moments of totality in areas where the sun is completely covered. To observe the eclipse safely, it is essential to use specially designed solar viewing glasses or certified solar filters, as direct exposure to the sun’s rays without protection can cause irreversible eye damage.
