"Excuse me for not looking at the camera, it's quite difficult to look away from this." This was how journalist Lídia Heredia, TV3's correspondent in Washington, D.C., apologized to the audience during her live broadcast of the solar eclipse in April 2024 from Erie, Pennsylvania. Wearing paper eclipse glasses, her mouth agape, and a face beaming with emotion, the journalist insisted: "Many people feel like we're living through an experience they'll remember for a lifetime." Many residents of southern Catalonia, and thousands of tourists, will have a similar feeling this August 12th, when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, plunging the sky into darkness. For a minute and a half, as if someone had flipped a switch, it will suddenly go dark, and even the stars will be visible. All of this will occur between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m., depending on the observer's location.

Quite a spectacle in the sky. Yesterday, a total lunar eclipse took place, a phenomenon in which the Earth's shadow is completely projected onto our satellite. The eclipse—known as a blood moon for its red tones—was visible in all its splendor, especially in Central Asia. In Catalonia, it was visible from early afternoon, but in cities like Barcelona, clouds initially obscured it, making it a bit of a wait. After the eclipse, a spectacular full moon could also be enjoyed.

"We'll soon be hanging up the "full" sign," says Aleix Roig, head of the Prades Mountains Astronomical Park, with still twelve months to go until Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and other specific parts of the country will be plunged into darkness by the total solar eclipse of 2026.

It's been over 120 years since a total solar eclipse darkened the sky prematurely in Catalonia. next August 12, 2026 This exceptional astronomical phenomenon will be visible, especially in Terres de l'Ebre and Lleida, cloud cover permitting. Although there is still more than a year to go before day turns into night for just over a minute and a half, the Generalitat (Catalan government) is already preparing to organize the expected crush of astronomy enthusiasts in the "total visibility" zones; that is, from where the eclipse will be easiest to observe. Pending the details of these locations, the luckiest city would be Roquetes (Baix Ebre).

The spring astronomical calendar is off to a strong start. This last weekend of March, we witnessed one of the most anticipated events of the year: a partial solar eclipse visible from Catalonia. The phenomenon began on Saturday, March 29, and the moon could be seen slightly biting the sun in some parts of the country.

This Friday, March 14, a lunar eclipse will affect the entire Iberian Peninsula. It will occur early in the morning, and in Catalonia we will see it as a partial eclipse: this means we will be able to enjoy what is popularly known as the "Blood Moon." Due to the darkness cast by the Earth's atmosphere on the satellite, it takes on a reddish hue, creating spectacular images.

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).