Greece experienced a unique natural phenomenon on Wednesday 29 March from 11:30 CET to 14:30 CET. The Earth, the Moon and the Sun aligned, thus causing a total solar eclipse, the first of the new millennium. Kastelorizo, Greece, which has been packed with scientists and tourists, was the unique place in Europe where the phenomenon was 100% visible. The solar eclipse was partial in Athens and Thessaloniki, where visibility reached 84% and 75% respectively, while it reached its peak at 12:47 CET. The phenomenon has triggered international interest, and scientists, amateurs, astronomers and many tourists have packed the island of Kastelorizo to better observe it in its totality. The next solar eclipse will occur in Europe after 82 years, in 2088.
The totality of the eclipse lasted for three minutes alone, from 12:52 CET to 12:55 CET.
At that very moment, the moon completely blocked the sun, and the sun’s glorious corona (the outer part of the sun’s atmosphere) was revealed. Meanwhile, the temperature significantly dropped by 5-6 degrees, humidity decreased, the wind was blowing stronger, while the stars shone brighter and planets Venus and Mercury were clearly visible from the earth.
Greek scientists stationed at four Greek cities will study the consequences of the solar eclipse on the atmosphere and the sea surface.
The Greek audience was able to see the eclipse through a satellite link with the help of Greek television satellite Hellas Sat.
Meanwhile, a video wall has been placed at Syntagma Square, where the people were able to watch the totality of the solar eclipse from Kastelorizo.