Solar eclipse visible across the Canary Islands

A solar eclipse will be visible across Europe on 12 August. Parts of Spain will experience the phenomenon as a total solar eclipse. In the Canary Islands, it will be a partial eclipse. The celestial spectacle will begin on Wednesday evening at around 6.46 pm and end at 8.46 pm. During this time, the sun will disappear almost completely.

The total solar eclipse over Spain will be visible across roughly the northern half of the country. It will begin in Galicia and extend as far as the Balearic Islands. In the Canary Islands, however, a sliver of the sun will remain visible. The eclipse there will be at least two-thirds total, and even more so in many places.

It’s important not to look directly at the sun, even then. And there are other important tips. We’ll also be taking a look at the weather for the solar eclipse over the Canary Islands:

What the weather will be like for the Canary Islands solar eclipse

Spanish meteorologists are forecasting near-perfect conditions on Wednesday evening: light cloud cover is expected in some parts of the archipelago. Most regions of the Canary Islands, however, can look forward to clear skies (more on this below).

This gives you an unobstructed view of the celestial phenomenon. And no special locations are required. Whilst a high vantage point in the dark is ideal for observing shooting stars, a clear view of the sky is all that is needed for a solar eclipse. Nevertheless, elevated areas such as roof terraces can offer the advantage of an unobstructed view of the sky.

Protecting your eyes, however, is far more important. Even when the Sun is largely obscured, looking directly at it can cause permanent damage to your eyes. It is therefore important to use certified protective eyewear. It is also important that the eye protection has been tested and approved. During previous solar eclipses, serious eye damage occurred due to a lack of protection or the use of unauthorised protective eyewear.

According to eye specialists, even ordinary sunglasses are expressly inadequate. Looking through cameras or telescopes is also harmful. Even when wearing approved protective glasses, you should not look directly at the sun for more than 20 to 30 seconds at a time. It is also important to take breaks lasting several minutes. It is essential to follow the instructions for use provided with the protective glasses.

How does a solar eclipse occur over the Canary Islands?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned in a straight line due to the Earth’s rotation. It then appears as though the Moon is moving directly in front of the Sun. Due to the enormous distance between the two celestial bodies, perspective distorts the view so that they appear to be roughly the same size. If the Moon is positioned directly in front of the Sun for a short time, the Sun is obscured and a total solar eclipse occurs. Because of the Earth’s rotation, the peak of the spectacle lasts only briefly. Beforehand, it gradually darkens; afterwards, the surroundings appear as if at dawn.

From the Canary Islands, the angle of view is slightly offset, so it will not become completely dark. Researchers nevertheless expect that the sudden darkening will cause typical sounds from nature to subside. Birds often stop chirping during a solar eclipse. As people gaze up at the sky, man-made noise usually drops significantly too. The solar eclipse over the Canary Islands on Wednesday evening is therefore likely to create not only a special visual spectacle, but also a brief moment of tranquillity.