We are going to tell you everything you need to know about the total solar eclipse that will be in Spain next August, the first of these characteristics that we have in more than a century. And get ready, because this will only be the first of the total solar eclipses visible in Spain in the next three years.
Let’s start blabla
Date, time and why this time it is “against the clock”
The total solar eclipse will take place next Wednesday, August 12, 2026. It will take place at sunset, and this is a fact that will determine the experience, because it will be quite a time trial.
Globally, the phenomenon will start at 5:34 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time) in the Bering Sea, and will end at 9:58 p.m. in the Atlantic. It will last 264 minutes, although in Spain we will see it in its last phasesalmost with the Sun touching the horizon.
These are the approximate schedules on the peninsula:
- Start of the partial phase: around 7:30 p.m.
- Whole: between 8:27 p.m. and 8:33 p.m., depending on where you are.
- End of partial phase: around 21:20-21:22.
To give an example, in A Coruña the eclipse begins at 7:31 p.m., its maximum is at 8:28 p.m., and ends at 9:22 p.m., with a totality 76 seconds and the Sun only 12 degrees above the horizon. This is a first key, which is going to be something very quick.
And the other key is that Spain is at the end of the totality zonemeaning that the total eclipse will be when the sun is very low. This will make vision difficult if you live in mountainous areas, and you will need to be in a place with the clear horizon to the west. Mountains, buildings, or even a row of trees could prevent you from seeing the eclipse properly.
The positive part is that, being in August, the chances of clear skies are higher in much of the country. At least if we compare it with other times of the year, although it will always depend on the weather during that specific day.
How to know if you are going to see the total or partial eclipse
All Spaniards will see something of the eclipse, but not all of us will see the same thing. The totality strip of the eclipse does not cover the entire countryso depending on where you live or where you go to see it you will see one thing or another.
This strip of totality, which is what the area where the total eclipse will be seen is called, crosses the country from west to east, from A Coruña to Palmapassing through capitals such as Oviedo, León, Burgos, Vitoria, Logroño, Zaragoza, Teruel, Castellón, València and the Balearic Islands.
Outside that band, that strip, in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga or Murcia the eclipse will be partial. This does not make it not a spectacle, but it is not as impressive as total eclipses.
At Xataka we have done this definitive map of the eclipse. In it you will be able to see the strip of totality, as well as the peninsular area through which it will pass. you also have the official eclipse map in which you can also find information, although all of it is also on the map that we have made.
How to protect your eyes from the eclipse
It is very important protect your eyes properly If you are going to look at the sun during the eclipse if you don’t want to finish with sore eyes or with any serious eye injury. The most important thing is to search approved glasses who have the registration EN ISO 12312-2:2015. In addition, if you buy in the European Union, the CE marking must also be visible.
Come on, don’t buy glasses from the first person who tells you they are for the eclipse. It is important to look at the approval to know that they will protect you correctly. If it has approval everything will be fine, but if in doubt, buying them from planetariums, astronomical associations or scientific entities will guarantee that they are reliable.
It is also vital make sure they are not broken or damaged. Make sure the filter is not scratched, loose or bent, and also that some areas are not lighter than others. If there is any sign of deterioration in the area that covers the eyes, it is best not to risk it and look for other glasses.
And not, sunglasses don’t workthe glasses that you use the rest of the year to protect your eyes from solar radiation do not protect you from the direct radiation that occurs under the conditions of an eclipse. Sunglasses only meet their own safety criteria for protect us from scattered lightbut not to look directly at the king star. In fact, they don’t block as much UV radiation as eclipse glasses, but enough so that you don’t have to squint, which exposes you to more, making wearing them even more dangerous.
Here, remember that it doesn’t matter if 99% of the sun is coveredEven if only 1% of the sun is visible, you must use approved glasses. That certain darkness that occurs during the event does not protect you, but rather makes you more vulnerable. Therefore, I repeat, Always check that your glasses are well approved to enjoy the eclipse safely.
How to protect your cell phone if you are going to take photos
Of course, many of us will want to take photos of the eclipse. But in a situation as complex as this phenomenon, doing so can also put our device at risk. Of course, let’s start from the basis that we shouldn’t do itmost experts recommend don’t do it neither with a mobile phone nor with a professional camera.
Beyond the fact that it is recommended enjoy the event in first person Instead of distracting you by taking photos, a solar eclipse can also damage your phone. Your camera’s image sensors can be seriously damaged taking photos of an eclipse, as they are not adapted to the illumination they receive when landing directly on the Sun at a time of higher illumination, especially if done for a long time.
To protect your mobile camera, there are specific filters which are a very good option. These filters can cost 30 euros or more, but you will ensure that taking a photo or video of the eclipse does not destroy your device’s camera.
Another option is to put approved glasses directly in front of the lens. You can even cut one of the two lenses of glasses and glue it in front of the lens. But of course, this will mean that you will not be able to see the eclipse on your own, or having to spend the same money on another pair of glasses. Also, the result is not as good as a specific filter.
And if you are going to take a photo, remember that the NAS recommends use a fixed aperture of f/8 to f/16 and try shutter speeds between 1/1000 and 1/4 second to find the optimal setting. That would be for the partial phases of the eclipse. During totality, they advise using a fixed aperture and an exposure range that goes from approximately 1/1000 to 1 second, although you can now remove the camera filter to see the solar corona, although not removing your glasses from your eyes.
Finally, remember that if you are going to look at the eclipse through the lens of a professional camera, binoculars and telescopes, your eyes can also end up being damaged. That’s why it is important to use filters suitable for lenses.
Other tips to keep in mind
Beyond what we have already told you, I also recommend having weather applications to know if the sky is covered in the area where you plan to see the eclipse, and in case you have to travel to another. I also recommend a compass or constellation app to know where the sun will set.
In addition to this, try have maps downloaded for offline use in Google Maps or whatever app you use, because if there are a lot of people in the area where you are due to the eclipse, there could perhaps be a connectivity problem. To prevent the battery from draining, try not to do live broadcasts or upload reels immediately when recording.
But most importantly, the greatest piece of advice is that you don’t get obsessed with taking photos or videos. Focus on enjoying the event with your own eyes well protected, experience it firsthand. It’s only going to last a few seconds, so focus on that.
Perhaps, to avoid missing something, I would also tell you that Bring a tripod for your phone and leave it in place before before the totality of the eclipse arrives. When the sky is already darkening, leave everything well focused, so then you only have to press a button while you don’t look away.
In Xataka Basics | Solar eclipses visible in Spain: these are the three astronomical events of 2026, 2027 and 2028
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