On average, a total solar eclipse visits some spot on Earth every 16 months or so. Totality can occur anywhere on the planet and usually in remote locations. The next total solar eclipse occurs this March 20, 2015 and presents a viewing opportunity to both a remote and populous region. The only landfall for the total solar eclipse are the Faroe Islands and Svalbard, coming tantalizingly close to Iceland, Scotland, and Norway.

A few thousand intrepid eclipse chasers will visit the path of totality by airplane or ship. But the limited accommodations on land and berths on ship will exclude many who wish to see nature's greatest spectacle, a total eclipse of the sun. Many millions of Europeans will be consoled by a splendid view of a deep partial solar eclipse. This sight will be memorable, but you must use approved solar eclipse glasses to safely view the diminished figure of the sun. If you are in Europe, be sure to acquire your eclipse glasses soon and then save them for a summer holiday in the United States to see the full glory of a total solar eclipse of 2017.

The total solar eclipse begins south of Greenland and passes between Iceland and Scotland. The path of the total solar eclipse ends at the North Pole on the Spring Equinox. This means that totality will greet whoever may be at the pole at the very dawn of the pole's half-year long summer day. This is indeed a very rare circumstance, will anyone be at the pole to see this?