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MTG-I1 satellite captures total solar eclipse path over Europe
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse passed over parts of Europe, including Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. The Meteosat Third Generation Imager (MTG-I1) satellite, operating from a geostationary orbit 36,000 km above Earth, successfully captured the trajectory of the Moon's shadow as it swept across the continent.
In Portugal, the phenomenon was highly visible in regions like Bragança, leading to a surge in demand for certified eclipse glasses. Official data from the National Association of Pharmacies indicates that 63,259 pairs were sold in early August, with some items appearing on resale platforms for up to 100 euros.
While much of Europe experienced the event, Brazil will not see another total solar eclipse until 2045. The next solar event visible from Brazil will be an annular eclipse on February 6, 2027.
Entities
Associação Nacional de Farmácias · European Space Agency · Meteosat Third Generation Imager · NASA · Observatório Nacional
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Eclipse glasses are being resold on online platforms for prices ranging from 20 to 100 euros. www.sabado.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Directly looking at the Sun without specialized protection can cause irreparable vision damage. www.sabado.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The MTG-I1 satellite captured the trajectory of the total solar eclipse over Europe on August 12, 2026. orbita.zenite.nu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The MTG-I1 satellite is positioned in geostationary orbit at a distance of 36,000 km above Earth. orbita.zenite.nu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The next solar eclipse visible from Brazil will occur on February 6, 2027, and will be an annular eclipse. www.cnnbrasil.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brazil will not witness another total solar eclipse until 2045. www.cnnbrasil.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Portuguese pharmacies sold 63,259 eclipse glasses between August 1 and August 10, 2026. www.sabado.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The MTG-I2 satellite is scheduled for launch on August 27, 2026, via an Ariane-6 rocket from French Guiana. orbita.zenite.nu