Will the solar eclipse be visible in the Dominican Republic? Here’s what to know

Millions of people are preparing to witness a total solar eclipse this Wednesday, August 12, one of the year’s major astronomical events, as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and briefly blocks the solar disk.

The eclipse will begin over the Bering Sea and move across the Northern Hemisphere. Its path of totality will pass through parts of the Arctic Ocean, northwest Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small area of Portugal. A partial eclipse will be visible across a much wider area, including parts of North America, Europe, and northwest Africa.

Spain will be one of the best places to observe the total eclipse. The path of totality will cross about 40% of the country’s territory, including up to 23 provincial capitals, as it travels from west to east.

The eclipse’s maximum point will occur near Iceland at 5:46 p.m. GMT, where totality will last about 2 minutes and 18 seconds.

Safety officials are also emphasizing proper eye protection. Anyone viewing the eclipse must use certified solar glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard to prevent potentially permanent retinal damage. Authorities have also warned about heat, dehydration, overcrowding, communication network congestion, forest fires, and environmental damage.

Beyond the spectacle, the eclipse will provide scientists with a rare opportunity to study the Sun’s physics, space weather, and the interaction between the Sun and Earth, turning the Iberian Peninsula into a temporary natural laboratory.

NASA to broadcast the eclipse live

NASA will provide live coverage of the eclipse beginning at 1:15 p.m. EDT, featuring images from locations along the path, telescope observations, and expert commentary.

The Dominican Republic is outside the path of totality for the eclipse. The phenomenon will therefore not be visible here as a total eclipse, but residents can follow the event through NASA’s online livestream.