Europe’s First Total Solar Eclipse in 27 Years Draws Millions, While Colombia Reels from Deadly 7.4 Quake

Millions of people across Europe looked to the sky as the continent witnessed its first total solar eclipse in 27 years, with the moon completely blocking the sun along a narrow path over Spain and partial phases visible across the rest of the region [219316]. The rare alignment turned daylight into darkness for a few minutes, creating a striking visual display for observers who gathered in open areas and along coastlines [219316]. In Spain, the event produced stunning photographs showing the moon completely blocking the sun, while other parts of Europe saw a dramatic crescent shape [217443]. The eclipse also offered scientists a valuable opportunity to study the sun’s corona—its outer atmosphere—which is normally hidden by bright sunlight [215044].

The celestial event was captured from an unusual vantage point by a citizen science project involving 15 balloons launched across Spain [218681]. The balloons reached heights between 31 and 38 kilometers, capturing images of the eclipsed sun and the moon’s shadow crossing the ground [218681]. Alex Mendiolagoitia, project coordinator and member of the Madrid Astronomy Association, said all balloons launched without problems and managed to capture the shadow from above [218681]. The mission, organized by the Federation of Spanish Astronomy Associations, involved 13 teams and nearly 100 people aged 9 to 85 [218681].

The eclipse also extended to Africa, where a partial solar eclipse swept across parts of Tunisia and Senegal [218565]. In the coastal town of Tabarka, Tunisia, 59.06% of the sun was obscured, while observers in Dakar, Senegal, saw up to 37% of the solar disk disappear near the end of the day [218565]. In Canada, skywatchers were treated to a rare double feature as the peak of the Perseid meteor shower coincided with a partial solar eclipse on the same day [216278]. Experts warned that viewing the eclipse requires proper eye protection, as looking directly at the sun without certified solar filters can cause serious eye damage [216278].

Meanwhile, Colombia has entered three days of national mourning after a powerful earthquake struck several regions, killing at least 240 people and leaving more than 3,700 injured [217587]. The quake, measured at magnitude 7.4 by the Colombian Geological Service, struck at 07:34 local time with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó [217587]. The tremor was also felt in neighboring Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela [215696]. The municipalities of Zarzal, Roldanillo, and El Cairo in the Valle del Cauca region reported the most severe destruction [217475]. Since the main quake, more than one hundred aftershocks have been recorded, none exceeding magnitude 4.0 [217587].

International help is on the way as Spain, the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Peru are among nations preparing to send aid [217587]. Vice President José Manuel Restrepo said Tuesday that multilateral organizations have already proposed $1.3 billion in various forms of cooperation [217587]. Authorities have confirmed at least 239 deaths so far but expect the number to rise, while experts are questioning the country’s roadmap for rebuilding and rehabilitation in the wake of the disaster [217587].