From where will the eclipse be visible?

Tarragona / BarcelonaThe total eclipse on August 12 will occur at 8:29 PM, when the sun is already very low. This characteristic will offer postcard images, as we will be able to be looking at the mountains or the Tarragona cathedral while, in the background, the Moon gradually covers the Sun. But this spectacle also increases the risk that, depending on the location, the sun will be so low that it will no longer be visible. To ensure that the chosen spot has good visibility, it will be necessary to test it beforehand, and now is the best time to do so.

This Wednesday and Thursday, at 8:21 PM, the Sun will be in exactly the same position as on August 12. From Thursday, April 30, until May 1 (8:24 PM), checks can also be made. "It was going to be very tight," warns Manel Sanromà, doctor in astrophysics and professor ad honorem at the URV.

In Catalonia, the areas from which the eclipse will be best seen are Lleida and, especially, Tarragona, which is already preparing for the massive arrival of visitors. But, even in these areas, the low altitude of the Sun at that time will mean that both mountains and some buildings will prevent the eclipse from being seen.

From the beaches of Tarragona, for example, nothing will be visible because the buildings on the seafront will block the horizon. The beaches of the Ebro Delta, on the other hand, will be a good spot, as there are no buildings so close and the field of vision is much more generous. In other locations, mountains will be the ones that might give us trouble. The closer the mountain in front of us is, the more likely it is to prevent us from seeing the eclipse.

According to experts, the first place from which we should check if we have good visibility is from home, either through a window or from a rooftop, as a day of considerable chaos in terms of mobility is predicted. If we are not so lucky, we need to find a high place or a place from which mountains do not block our view.

Visibility map

The Generalitat, in collaboration with the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), has prepared a visibility map that marks in yellow the places from where the totality of this meteorological phenomenon can be seen, although it is advisable to test it beforehand. "The best map is reality," says Sanromà, who has already seen three total eclipses.

In parallel, there are 20 Catalan municipalities —18 in Tarragona and two in Lleida— where different observation points will be organized, spaces with good visibility and where safety and easy access will be guaranteed.

The Moon will begin to cover the Sun at 7:35 PM. The process will last almost an hour and, to enjoy it safely, it is important to wear homologated glasses. The total eclipse will be at 8:29 PM, at which point we will be able to look at the eclipse without glasses because the Sun will be completely covered. In some towns like Alcanar, the total eclipse will last 1 minute and 37 seconds, while in Lleida it will last 28 seconds.

¿Will the clouds be a nuisance?

The weather will play a crucial role in being able to carry out this dress rehearsal before the big event on August 12th. To check if the sun can be seen well from where we are at the planned time of the event, we need a sky clear of clouds, especially considering that the star will be setting on the western horizon and that the peak of the eclipse will last a short time. All details count and are important. But looking ahead to this Wednesday and Thursday, the weather forecasts are not precisely the best.

We will find ourselves right at the beginning of a weather change that will cause the sky to be variable or clouded by the presence of bands of clouds and dust in suspension coming from North Africa for a large part of Wednesday and Thursday, also at 8:29 PM. This will happen in a large part of the country and, therefore, also in ground zero for the eclipse: the regions of Tarragona and the plain of Lleida. A variability that will continue in the coming days.

On Wednesday, some drizzle accompanied by mud is not even ruled out, both in Camp de Tarragona, in the Ebro region, and in Ponent. Little, as generally no rain is expected in these areas. On the other hand, on Thursday it will be more likely to have afternoon showers towards the pre-coastal mountains of Tarragona and in the Ports area, without ruling out that some may reach the coast itself, although they will be moving away precisely at sunset. All this with very pleasant temperatures at sunset.

Therefore, clouds may cause problems during the eclipse rehearsal scheduled for this Wednesday and Thursday. Despite this, there will also be quite a few clear spells throughout the day; we hope they coincide with the key hour and facilitate seeing the sun setting.