A total solar eclipse will leave Catalonia in shadow: when and how to see it

One of astronomy's most spectacular phenomena is approaching: on August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will occur, casting Catalonia in shadow. In fact, although it will affect Europe, it will only be visible in Iceland, Spain, and a very small part of Portugal. We will all be privileged: the total eclipse will only be visible in the north of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands (the only places in Spain where the eclipse will be complete).

Eduard Masana, a researcher at the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia and the Institute of Cosmos Sciences at the University of Barcelona, ​​explains that a total eclipse can be seen from somewhere in the world approximately every 18 months, but that in many cases "part of its path is over the sea." That's precisely why we're talking about a rare phenomenon to witness: in fact, what we'll experience in 2026 will be the first in Catalonia since 1905.

When and where can the solar eclipse be seen?

To witness this astronomical phenomenon, one that hasn't occurred in Europe since 1999, we'll have to wait until 2026. On August 12th, the total eclipse will be visible from Lleida, Tarragona, Castellón, Valencia, Palma, and the surrounding areas, around 8:30 p.m. (the exact moment). The luckiest Catalans will be those in Ponent, Terres de l'Ebre, and the Balearic Islands: "If we imagine a line roughly connecting Lleida with Vilanova i la Geltrú, all the territory south of this line will experience a total eclipse. The further south, the longer the totality phase," explains Masana.

The area where the eclipse will be longest is in Terres de l'Ebre: it will last just over a minute and a half in places like Tortosa. Outside this area, that is, in the northern half of Catalonia, the eclipse will appear as partial.

The path of totality will begin on the Russian coast of the Laptev Sea, pass very close to the North Pole, and cross Greenland. The path of totality will then move down towards the Atlantic Ocean and the Iberian Peninsula. In fact, it will cross Spain during the afternoon (local time) and end in the Balearic Islands at sunset. The specific path is determined by the positions and movements of the three celestial bodies involved in the phenomenon: the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth.

What exactly is a total solar eclipse?

This type of phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and completely blocks the face of the star. When we are in the center of the Moon's shadow, the sky darkens completely and, if weather conditions permit, the Sun's corona can be seen (a view that makes for spectacular images). Masana specifies that within the path of totality "it doesn't become pitch black": "Light reaches us, through the atmosphere, from areas outside that path where the eclipse is not total. In any case, the darkness is great enough to make some of the brightest stars and planets in the sky visible." The eclipse lasts for a minute, but it is important to distinguish very clearly between the partial and total phases. During the partial phase, when the Moon has not yet completely covered the Sun, You can't look directly at it without anything to protect your eyes.Looking directly at the Sun can cause retinal damage, so it's necessary to use approved filters, which can be purchased at opticians or astronomy stores: "Whenever any part of the Sun's surface is visible, even if it's very small, we must look with protective glasses. Not doing so could lead to serious eye injuries." During totality, however, we must look directly at the Sun if we want to enjoy the view of the eclipsed Sun (the solar corona, prominences, stars, the darkness of the surrounding environment, etc.), since we wouldn't see anything with glasses. Now, we must be careful to put our eyes back on when partial eclipse begins."

When will we see her again?

This astronomical phenomenon in Catalonia will be unique: we won't see another total solar eclipse until November 17, 2180, more than 150 years from now! However, we won't have to wait long to witness another extraordinary event: we'll have three eclipses in consecutive years. In August 2027, there will be another total solar eclipse, visible only in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, and in February 2028, we'll have an annular eclipse, visible in Catalonia. In these eclipses, the moon is not large enough to completely cover the sun, and what we see is a "ring of sunlight."