The total eclipse that will immerse Spain in the shadow a single minute

On August 12, 2026 we can enjoy the astronomical event par excellence: a total sun eclipse. And Spain will occupy a more than privileged place, being the only country, along with a small portion of Iceland, where it can be seen in all its splendor. The complete concealment will be visible from the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.

A sun eclipse occurs when the moon stands between the Earth and the Sun itself. In this way, the Earth’s satellite shades us and covers the planet of darkness.

Depending on the relative positions of the three stars at stakes (earth, moon and sun), the solar eclipse can be partial, annular or total. In the case of a total eclipse, the moon perfectly covers the sun and this can occur due to a cosmic chance: the apparent size of both stars, sun and moon, is approximately equal seen from Earth. In addition, the moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun and is about 400 times closer to Earth than him.

In the case of an annular eclipse, the moon does not completely cover the sun, leaving a light ring around, and in the case of the partial eclipse, only a portion of the sun is hidden.

The total eclipse of August 12, 2026 will last only more than a minute, in the most privileged places, and will occur near the sunset, so we must be attentive.


No omens of the gods or natural catastrophes

In numerous ancient civilizations –Mayas, Aztecs, Chinese, Mesopotamians, Egyptians, etc.–, a sun eclipse was a bad omen.

When thinking about an eclipse, many come to mind the movie Apocalyptodirected by Mel Gibsonin which (attention, spoiler) a total sun eclipse is crucial for the survival of the protagonist. But nothing is further from reality: both lunar and solar eclipses are merely astronomical made without too many implications, beyond its beauty.

The word “eclipse” derives from the Greek Ekleipsis And it means “disappearance”, referring to the momentary disappearance of light, omen that something “bad” was going to happen.

Two to five times a year

The orbit of the moon around the earth is a crucial factor to understand the frequency of solar eclipses.

Although it seems that the moon and the sun should align each month during the new moon, this does not always happen since the lunar orbit is inclined about 5 degrees with respect to the orbital plane of the Earth, known as ecliptic. This inclination causes most of the time the moon passes slightly above or below the sun from our perspective, preventing the eclipse.


Only at the points where the orbit of the Moon crosses the ecliptic, called nodes, a solar eclipse can occur, and only if it coincides with the phase New moon. This special alignment, known as eclipses season, happens twice a year, but depending on the orbital conditions, there may be between 2 and 5 annual solar eclipses, the extreme cases of five eclipses being more rare in one year.

The most famous total eclipse in history (modern)

Although it seems that a solar eclipse stopped the Battle between Medes and Lidios In 585 a. of. c., In the modern era it takes away another prominence. Because of the consequences it had, the most famous eclipse of the modern era is the one that occurred the May 29, 1919. This event allowed the verification of the theory of the general relativity of Albert Einstein, which catapulted him to fame.

According to Einstein’s theory, the severity of a massive object, such as the sun, curves the space-time, diverting the path of the light that passes near it.

During the eclipse, astronomers Sir Arthur Eddington and Frank Watson Dyson took advantage of the momentary darkness to observe how the light of the “nearby” stars to the sun seemed to move due to this gravitational curvature, also called Gravitational lens.


The images and measurements confirmed Einstein’s predictions, revolutionizing our understanding of physics and cosmos.

Don’t look at the sun directly!

It is time to prepare to contemplate the eclipse. Don’t even think about looking in the sun directly, as this could cause irreparable damage to the retina.

In order to enjoy the eclipse there are different alternatives. The first of them goes through acquiring special glasses or crystals that allow to look at the sun, but must ensure that they are approved (they must be certified by the international standard ISO 12312-2). In any case, it may happen that it seems that it meets the norm and does not. Therefore, astronomy associations and space agencies advise buying these types of glasses from verified and authorized vendors.

It can also be seen indirectly if we use a digital camera or a digital camera telescope, connected to a computer, so that we contemplate the eclipse through the camera or projected on a wall with the telescope.

But since not everyone we have a telescope, the last alternative is to build a Stenopian camera Homemade in a very simple way. The POTnothing more and nothing less, it can guide us in its construction.

We will need a cardboard box (a shoe box is perfect), adhesive tape, aluminum foil, white paper and a pin or needle.

The steps to follow are the following:

  • Make two openings, not very large, on the side of the box.
  • Cover one of them with aluminum foil and make a hole with the pin.
  • Open the box and paste the white paper on the inner face opposed to the openings.
  • Close the box, place back to the sun and look for the opening that has been open, trying not to have in the sunlight through it. To do this we can help ourselves with an opaque fabric but eye! For the pin hole yes it has to enter light.
  • We will observe the image of the sun projected in the white paper inside the box and we will follow the eclipse without any problem or danger.

So, let’s not get carried away by ancient legends and let’s get to enjoy this magnificent astronomical phenomenon.

The conversation

FRANCISCO JOSÉ TORCAL MILLA He is a professor of the Department of Applied Physics at the University of Zaragoza.

This article was originally published in The conversation. You can read it here.

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