European astronomer warns about what will happen to animals during the total solar eclipse on August 12

Less than a month remains until Spain’s biggest astronomical event of the year. The total solar eclipse on August 12 will be the first of three major eclipses visible from the country, with two more arriving in 2027 and 2028. For now, however, all eyes are on this year’s event. Although the path of totality will not cross the entire Iberian Peninsula, millions of people are expected to travel to locations where the eclipse will be visible at 100%.

In less than a month, daylight will briefly give way to darkness for about a minute and a half. As the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, it will completely block the Sun’s light before daylight returns. For astronomy enthusiasts, the long-awaited date is fast approaching.

To help people prepare, several organizations have been explaining what to expect during the eclipse. One of them is the European Space Agency (ESA). During a public briefing, the agency highlighted some of the most remarkable aspects of the phenomenon.

“When a total solar eclipse occurs, the temperature drops dramatically by several degrees almost instantly,” said Pedro García Lario, an ESA astronomer.

According to García Lario, that sudden cooling creates “an almost ghostly breeze that you can actually feel on your skin.” The experience often triggers a powerful emotional response, with many people getting goosebumps or even becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

Animals are also expected to react in unusual ways during totality.

"Birds stop singing, chickens return to their coops, and cows head back to the barn. Then, just a few minutes later, everything returns to normal," García Lario explained.

The period of totality will last about 100 seconds, an experience that, he says, “we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”

An experience to feel, not just see

García Lario encourages people to fully embrace the moment and appreciate every second of the eclipse.

“Observing a total solar eclipse isn’t just a visual experience. It’s a sensory experience.”

Now, all that remains is to wait for the much-anticipated day to arrive.

The astronomer hopes the eclipse will become “an opportunity for many things,” including inspiring a new generation of astronomers and scientists.

As an example, he pointed to Spanish physician and Nobel laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal, whose fascination with astronomy began after witnessing the total solar eclipse of 1860.

“He was just a young boy at the time, but his curiosity and sense of wonder about the phenomena associated with observing a total solar eclipse sparked his lifelong passion for science."

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