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Doha, Qatar: Skywatchers across parts of the Northern Hemisphere will witness a solar eclipse today, August 12, with the Moon completely blocking the Sun along a narrow path through Greenland, Iceland and Spain, while millions elsewhere will see a partial eclipse.
According to NASA, the path of totality crosses parts of Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain and a small area of Portugal, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of Europe as well as parts of North America and Africa.
In North America, viewers will not experience totality.
However, a partial eclipse will be visible from eastern Canada and parts of the northern United States, including areas of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking all or part of the Sun from view.
Those within the narrow path of totality will see the Sun completely covered for a short period, while observers outside that path will see only part of the solar disk obscured.
NASA said the eclipse will begin and end in the morning in Alaska and northern Canada before the Moon's shadow moves across the Arctic and North Atlantic toward Europe.
For those outside the viewing area, the event can still be watched online.
NASA will provide live coverage beginning at 17:15GMT (20:15 Doha time) featuring telescope views from locations along the eclipse path, expert commentary and footage from a high-altitude research aircraft following the Moon's shadow.
The eclipse can be watched through NASA's official website and NASA+, while the Timeanddate website is also providing a live broadcast using feeds from several locations along the eclipse path.
NASA has warned people viewing either the total or partial eclipse not to look directly at the Sun without appropriate eye protection.
Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing a solar eclipse.
Viewers should use certified eclipse glasses or an appropriate handheld solar viewer during the partial phases.
Only those located within the path of totality may briefly remove their protective glasses when the Moon completely covers the Sun.
Eye protection must be put back on as soon as the Sun begins to reappear.
Today's eclipse is drawing particularly strong attention in Europe.
It is the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999, with large crowds gathering across Spain and Iceland to witness the event.
In Spain, the eclipse will occur close to sunset, offering observers along the path of totality a rare view of the completely eclipsed Sun low on the western horizon.
