eclipse

How to know if your eclipse glasses are safe or a dangerous scam

by

Let’s tell you How to know if your eclipse glasses are safe or you have some scam that could endanger the health of your eyes. He solar eclipse of 2026 It is already very close, and many people are going to travel to see it. But of course, faced with such a unique and spectacular event, we will all want to look at the eclipse without frying our eyes. This is where special eclipse glasses come into play, with specific protections with which protect your eyes properly. But of course, These glasses must have legal approval that certifies that they work, and as always happens in these cases, you can find counterfeits that protect you correctly. And that is why we are going to explain to you what you should look for in glasses before buying them to ensure that they are correctly approved. We are also going to tell you three ways in which you can verify at home that the glasses you already have will protect you, and we will even give you some alternatives to glasses… and we will warn you about others that you should not use under any circumstances. Requirements to be legal approved glasses To ensure that the glasses you buy to protect yourself during the eclipse are legal and follow international standards for direct observation of the sun, They must meet certain standards and include certain information explicitly in your profile. It is the following: They must have exact standard: The glasses must be clearly and unambiguously stated ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015. Here, it is worth taking into account ALL the numbers. For example, if it only says “ISO 12312-1” they will be ordinary sunglasses and they will not work for you. You have to comply with the ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015. Manufacturer identification: On the box you must put the name and clear address of the manufacturer or importer in the European Union. Be wary of any model in which these contact details are not indicated. Printed instructions: The instructions for the glasses should clearly state some key warnings to protect you, such as “Do not wear more than 3 minutes at a time” or “Dispose of if scratched or punctured.” Light Transmission (Attenuation Factor): In the model information, you should make sure that the glasses filter is capable of blocking 99.999% of visible light and almost all UV and IR rays. Three home checks before looking at the sun Once you have bought the glasses or are going to use ones you have at home, before using them to look at the Sun it is advisable do checks to make sure they will protect you correctly. These are three tests that you will be able to do at home in a simple way: The light bulb test: Put on your glasses at home or indoors in general, and look at a light bulb that is on. When you do this, you should see absolutely nothing except the filament or LED of a very powerful bulb. And even these elements should be seen extremely faintly. The reflex test: If you are on the street, you should look at a shiny surface in the sun, such as the hood of a car. When you do this, you should see only a very soft flash, and nothing of the rest of the surrounding scene. The physical test of the sheet: This is a test to verify that the protective film on your glasses is free of defects. You must check against the light that the Mylar or black polymer filter does not have micropunctures, scratches or looseness in the cardboard mounts. Come on, total protection and no defects. What alternatives you can use and which ones you can’t Beyond buying approved glasses, you can also use some alternatives such as welder screens or glasses. Of course, in this case it must have a DIN 14 graduation or higher. The technical minimum is usually DIN 12, but for greater clearance and comfort, DIN 14 is recommended. The DIN scale indicates the percentage of how much these protectors split light. The ISO 12312-2 standard establishes the safety threshold for looking directly at the sun, and it is around ≤ 0.003%. DIN 11, for example, has a luminous transmission of 0.005%, so it is higher than this standard and is not valid. That of DIN 14 is 0.00027%, below that standard, and transmits 50 times less visible light than a DIN 10. And what does all this mean? Well then The DIN is something that you should look for in a hardware store if you are going to buy welding glasses.because it is the measure that indicates how much light it lets through. Therefore, we recommend that it be DIN 14 or higher. Another alternative to special eclipse glasses that are much less visual is indirect projection. You know, the pinhole method or a kitchen strainer to project the sun onto a surface and see the eclipse there instead of looking directly at the sky. What you should NEVER use for an eclipse are other elements such as x-rays, superimposed sunglasses of any category, smoked lenses, photographic film or conventional photography ND filters placed on the eye. None of these items will protect your eyes if you look directly at the sun during an eclipse, and they can damage them. Recommended glasses models If you still don’t have good approved glasses to see the eclipse, you still have time to buy them and have them arrive on time. If you have Amazon Primethe online commerce giant is one of the most recommended to find good packages of approved glasses at affordable prices and fast shipping. Keyaluo Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses, Pack of 6, EN ISO 12312-2:2015(E) and CE Certified, AAS 2026 Approval, Solar eclipse glasses for direct vision of the sun The price could vary. We earn commission from these links For example, you have the Keyaluo brand pack, with six units per 6.17 … Read more

Where to buy approved glasses to see the eclipse so that they arrive home on time

by

There are just 14 days left to see the total solar eclipse. It is the first with these characteristics that we will have for more than a century, so it is an event that is worth not missing. We already brought you a map to consult the duration and forecast of the same in each municipalitybut today we are going to focus on the glasses we will need to be able to see it safely. And of course, that they arrive home on time. Keyaluo Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses, Pack of 6, EN ISO 12312-2:2015(E) and CE Certified, AAS 2026 Approval, Solar eclipse glasses for direct vision of the sun The price could vary. We earn commission from these links What do glasses have to have to see the eclipse? Regardless of whether we are in an area where the total or partial eclipse can be seen, it is important to view it with glasses with adequate protection. The sunglasses that we use daily are not usefulsince these are designed to protect us from scattered light, and not to look directly at the sun. The fundamental thing we have to look for when buying glasses to see an eclipse is that are approved. This is something that must be clearly indicated in the advertisement or in the product description and, in addition, it is usually also indicated on the glasses themselves. On both sides, there must be the inscription EN ISO 12312-2. It is important that this approval is the one we indicate and not EN ISO 12312-1 (only the last digit changes), since this only regulates glasses for daily use. Furthermore, if we buy the glasses in the European Union, they must also have the ‘CE’ logo. Glasses to see the eclipse that will arrive home on time As we still have two weeks to spare, we have a fairly large range of stores to buy glasses to view the eclipse. If you want to wait as little as possible to receive them, the Amazon option stands out as the most recommended (especially if you are a member of Amazon Prime). Taking a quick look, we can find packages with several approved glasses at affordable prices. Keyaluo Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses, Pack of 6, EN ISO 12312-2:2015(E) and CE Certified, AAS 2026 Approval, Solar eclipse glasses for direct vision of the sun The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some that fit with everything we have explained above are these from the Keyaluo brand. They have the corresponding approval and six units come that you can share with your friends or family. They go out for 6.17 euros right now, so each unit costs 1.03 euros. And, if you have Amazon Prime, you will receive them at home tomorrow. There are also other options available in stores such as MediaMarkt, Carrefour or El Corte Inglés, with models like this one from Hawkers for 3.99 euros. All of these are ideal for viewing the eclipse, but you can always find an alternative yourself. Just remember: that they are approved and with a shipment with enough margin so that they arrive at your house before next August 12. Rectangular unisex eclipse sunglasses with ISO Certificate Hawkers Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Hawkers, Jongsun LeeAmazon In Xataka | If you live in Madrid and want to see the total eclipse on August 12, write down these 52 towns In Xataka | Seeing the eclipse from a remote corner of Empty Spain is very good. A company has a better idea: see it flying

ONCE and the Ministry of Science give away 2 million glasses for the solar eclipse: this is how you can get them

by

Looking ahead to the next solar eclipse on August 12, something as important as find a good location to see it is to get hold of good approved glasses. X-rays and photographic negatives are not valid, as has traditionally been said. It is also not safe to look at the eclipse with conventional sunglasses. Such acts, such as looking with the naked eye, can cause serious eye problems. This is something they know a lot about. ONCE. That’s why, they just launched next to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Government of Spain a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting eyesight at these types of events. And since there is no better way to raise awareness than by giving access to solutions, an important part of the campaign will be the distribution of 2 million free eclipse glasses throughout the country. ¿Where can you find the ONCE eclipse glasses? The glasses will begin to be distributed completely free starting next Monday, August 3. 1,700,000 units will be distributed through ONCE points of sale throughout Spain. The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) will be responsible for the rest, which will distribute them among research centers, science museums and other public entities in the field of science, innovation and universities. Specifically, this is the list of museums and scientific centers that the Ministry of Science has shared: Interactive Museum of Music of Malaga – MIMMA Andalusia Science Park – Granada Aragonese Museum of Paleontology – Teruel Museum of Science and the Cosmos – Tenerife Elder Museum of Science and Technology – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Eyes to the sky – La Palma Science Museum of Castilla-La Mancha (MCCM) – Cuenca Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA) – Cuenca The Light Factory. Energy Museum – Ponferrada Valladolid Science Museum – Valladolid Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona Mathematical Museum of Catalonia – MMACA – Cornellà de Llobregat Montsec Astronomical Park – Lleida National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) – Alcobendas National Museum of Natural Sciences – Madrid Royal Botanical Garden – Madrid FORAL COMMUNITY OF NAVARRA University of Navarra Science Museum – Pamplona Big History. Scientific and environmental dissemination center – Aras de los Olmos City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia Alicante Water Museum Museum of Natural Sciences of Valencia Didactic and Interactive Museum of Sciences of the Vega Baja del Segura (MUDIC-VBS-CV) Castellón Planetarium National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) – A Coruña Coruña Scientific Museums – A Coruña House of Sciences of Logroño Eureka! Zientzia Museoa – San Sebastian Bioparc Aquarium of Gijón Museum of Science and Water of Murcia As for the ONCE points of salethe glasses approved for the eclipse will be distributed at ONCE points of sale throughout Spain. If you want to know which one is closest to your home, you can use the application My Seller ONCEwhich features a very easy-to-use drop-down map. In total there are 35,000 points of sale throughout the Spanish territory, so you are sure to have one quite close by. Other initiatives The coupon for August 12, 2026 from the ONCE draw will be dedicated, as it could not be otherwise, to the solar eclipse. It is another of the initiatives that have emerged from this project between ONCE and the Ministry of Science, but not the only one. The agreement was signed yesterday at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Spain (MUNCYT) in A Coruña. The signatories were the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, and the first vice president of Institutional Coordination, Solidarity and External Relations of the General Council of ONCE, Alberto Durán. Together, they announced the initiative to distribute eclipse glasses and sell a special coupon, but also many other activities. And with this signature, it has been decided to incorporate the ONCE Social Group into the meetings of the Interministerial Commission for the preparation, organization and coordination of actions related to the Trio of Eclipsesas well as to provide resources and educational materials that can be adapted, to guarantee the inclusion and cultural development of people with visual disabilities in particular and other disabilities. As Alberto Durán explained during the presentation, his goal is that after the eclipse no more people arrive at ONCE with vision problems. For this, awareness is a key point. Guaranteed approval To check that eclipse glasses are suitable, they must be approved according to the standard. EN ISO 12312-2:2015 and have the CE seal. The positive part is that these are distributed by two totally reliable institutions, such as ONCE and the Ministry of Science, so it is guaranteed that they have said seal. It is a nice initiative with which ONCE wants its clients to be very well protected in the face of the astronomical event of the year. And the best thing is that, well stored to avoid scratches or deterioration Otherwise, they can also be used to the solar eclipses of 2027 and 2028. An exciting time is coming for astronomy lovers in our country. Let’s enjoy it with protection. Images | ONCE and Ministry of Science In Xataka | Leo Hernández, eclipse hunter: “I knew that whenever I could or life allowed me, I would try to travel to see more”

The solar eclipse on August 12 is approaching and your prescription glasses can complicate your plan: this is how you can solve it

by

The time for the solar eclipse has arrived. You have taken all necessary precautions and you have bought some approved glassesbut you go to put them on and discover how uncomfortable it is to wear them over your prescription glasses. If you wear prescription glasses and think you can live this story next August 12, do not leave the issue of approved glasses to the last minute. At some observation points they will be given to attendees, but if you have not tried them in advance you may discover that they do not fit your eyes well and, therefore, are neither comfortable nor protective. It is better to bring your own protection and also test it in advance. Let’s see some ideas. The cardboard gives a lot of itself. In addition to to reduce costs manufacturing, the frames of glasses approved for eclipses are usually made of cardboard to fit well to any face. As a result, they can often be worn over prescription glasses without any problem. You may have to hold them by hand; but, as long as you make sure they cover your field of vision well, there is no problem. There are also glasses that, without being made of cardboard, are deliberately large to accommodate other glasses underneath. It is the case of these that show in an article of The Country. However, not everything is going to be big glasses. There are other options too. Clips are a good option. There are some clip options with filters approved for solar eclipses that fit the lens of almost any glasses. They are generally sold in opticians. or specialized stores and, since they are much more exclusive, they have slightly higher prices than typical cardboard frame glasses. Still, they are a great option if you don’t want to gamble. Ask your optician what they recommend. Yes indeed. Even if they are made as universal as possible, they may not fit your glasses specifically well. Always try them first. You can wear contact lenses. If you usually wear contact lenses, now is a good time to do so. Thus, the approved glasses you use will fit your face better. Remember what is important. It doesn’t matter if you use approved glasses or clip-on filters. The important thing is that you make sure they have the certificate EN ISO 12312-2:2015 and that both the seal of the European Community and the instructions for use are indicated on the packaging. Additionally, you should make sure that the filters are not scratched, as this would decrease the level of protection. And, of course, remember that neither x-rays nor photo negatives are valid. They are myths that have damaged many retinas along the way. Image | Magnific/NASA In Xataka | The trio of eclipses that await Spain on the horizon: an unprecedented and historic chain between 2026 and 2028

A cloud hundreds of kilometers away can ruin this summer’s eclipse and we are already beginning to know what the weather will be like in each place.

by

As the time approaches see the solar eclipse on August 12 2026, many of us are asking the same question: Will the weather be good? This is a relevant question whenever we are going to observe one of these astronomical phenomena. Nobody wants rain to ruin their show. However, specifically, it is even more important to look at the sky, since the Moon will obscure the Sun very close to sunset, so clouds can be especially treacherous. Today, we cannot know for sure what will happen. Weather predictions are more accurate the closer the date gets. To be considered reliable, they must be done about 3 days in advance. However, the first trend maps for the week of the eclipse are already beginning to appear. They are relatively optimistic, although they do not paint an ideal scenario either. Drier days than normal. In general, the forecasts they point because the days will be drier than normal for these dates in Extremadura, northern Andalusia and eastern Castilla y La Mancha. At these points the solar eclipse will not be seen in its entirety, but a good part of the Sun will be covered and the spectacle will be worth enjoying. On the other hand, there is a small area with less luck, since more rain than normal is expected at this time. These are the rest of Castilla la Mancha and south-central Aragon. Here we do find some points of the strip of totality. Dry does not mean cloudless. Just because rain is not expected does not mean that the skies will be completely clear or without haze. We cannot predict the haze so far in advance and neither can the clouds. Yes, we know that in inland places like Burgos, Soria either Teruelthe weather in August usually favors clear skies, although there may be afternoon storms that ruin the sunset. In the north, for its part, we will have to pay attention to the Atlantic cloudiness. And what about the heat? The first trend maps indicate that the day of the eclipse will be warmer than normal in practically all of Spain. Surprise for no one, with the summer we have. For this reason, much emphasis is being placed on wearing a hat and cool clothing, as well as carrying bottles of water to avoid the effects of the heat. During the exact moment of the eclipse, temperatures drop for obvious reasons, but it is normal to go to the site well before, so the heat can be a problem if we do not take precautions. The problem of the sunset. At the time the eclipse will take place, the Sun will be very close to the horizon. At that point, it happens that the light has to go a longer way through the atmosphere to reach us. The atmosphere dims sunlight. Therefore, as it travels through more of the atmosphere, the light arrives very weak. If we add to that a few clouds in the west, the eclipse could be ruined. Furthermore, there is the problem that, with the Sun this low, Even clouds hundreds of miles away can be annoyingagain because light must travel a very long path to reach us. Anyway, we will have to be patient. When the date gets much closer, we will be able to know with more certainty if there will be annoying clouds. In fact, even knowing it, we can have some surprises at the last moment. There have even been cases of cloudy and stormy skies that They have opened for a few seconds during the eclipse by pure luck. Even with late-breaking clouds, the solar eclipse should not be considered lost. Image | Magnific/Wikimedia Commons In Xataka | A third of Spain will be completely dark for a minute or two. The astronomical event of the century is approaching

If you live in Madrid and want to see the total eclipse on August 12, write down these 52 towns

by

If you are thinking see the solar eclipse on August 12 in the Community of Madrid You will like to know that 52 municipalities have been enabled for this. This was announced by the Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Local Administration, Miguel Ángel García Martín, in an informative meeting, as explained from The Economist. There will be observation posts in 51 locations and a festival in another: Buitrago del Lozoya. Of course, it should be noted that not all of the announced municipalities will be able to see the eclipse in its entirety. What is the list of towns to see the solar eclipse in Madrid? The towns announced by the counselor are the following: We are Sierra Prádena del Rincón Braeyes Piñuecar-Gandullas Berzosa del Lozoya The Serna del Monte Gascons Villavieja del Lozoya Old Bridges Gorge of the Mountains Lozoya Canencia Valdepiélagos Cabanillas de la Sierra Navalafuente Coldscraper Talamanca de Jarama Valdeolmos-Alalpardo Torote Ash Soto del Real Meco The Saints of La Humosa Daganzo from Above Pezuela de las Torres Navacerrada Becerril de la Sierra Olmeda de las Fuentes Moralzarzal New Baztan The Mills Ambite Medium Col Manzanares Hole Old Apiary The Molar The Cabrera Saint Augustine of Guadalix San Sebastian de los Reyes Three Songs Villarejo de Salvanés San Lorenzo de El Escorial Robledo de Chavela Villamantilla Chinchon Chapinería Brunete San Martin de Valdeiglesias Navas del Rey Santa María de la Alameda Torrejón de la Calzada Tajuña pear trees Up to Tres Cantos, with this included, are the municipalities within the strip of totality. In the rest, you will only be able to see the solar eclipse partially, since the Moon will not completely cover the Sun and, therefore, the typical night in the middle of the day that characterizes eclipses will not be fully visible. Regarding the festival to be celebrated in Buitrago del Lozoyawill take place in the Riosequillo Swimming Pools Recreational Area and will feature informative, scientific, educational, cultural and family activities. In addition, there will be food trucks, music, children’s games and workshops throughout the day. Is one of the many festivals that will be celebrated throughout Spain on the occasion of this astronomical phenomenon. A map to plan If you want to know how long the totality will last in each of the indicated towns, what the quality of the sky is like or if they are small charming municipalities, you can plan with the help of our interactive map. Furthermore, this is not only useful for observing the solar eclipse in Madrid. You can choose your ideal observation point anywhere in Spain. Start by deciding if you want to see it in the strip of totality or if a partial eclipse closer to home will do. The good part is that next year we will have another total eclipse in Spain and many of the places that have been left out this time will be in its totality strip. Do you want to wait or do you prefer to see it now even if you have to travel? Image | Wikimedia Commons In Xataka | Leo Hernández, eclipse hunter: “I knew that whenever I could or life allowed me, I would try to travel to see more”

why 3 euro cardboard glasses protect your eyes from an eclipse better than 100 euro sunglasses

by

If you have in mind see the solar eclipse this August 12you may have already started searching approved glasses. Many shops they have jumped on the car and they are launching offers at a very reduced price. Although the truth is that, honestly, it is not necessary to lower the cost much, since the price of eclipse glasses is extremely cheap. And of course, for some people, it is very shocking, since they insist actively and passively that conventional sunglasses do not work for us, but how can my 100-euro Ray-Ban not be worth it and some cardboard glasses that cost me 3 are worth it? With this, as with many things in life, we see that price is not everything. They are not lying to us when they tell us that sunglasses are worthless. They also don’t scam us by selling us eclipse glasses for only 3 euros. The inflated prices of brand name sunglasses can sometimes hurt us like a scam, although everyone is free to set the prices for their brand that they see fit. But let’s focus on the science of approved glasses. How can something so technically necessary be so cheap to produce? There is not so much technical complexity. Eclipse glasses are designed to be used once in a very long time, if at all. Normally, the person who wears them just look at the sky and, at most, around it. You don’t have to drive, walk, or read anything. You just stop and look at the Sun. For this reason, all you need is a very basic frame, sometimes made of cardboard, and two filters, one for each eye. Sunglasses, on the other hand, must be functional, which requires greater technical complexity. If they are graduated, It is necessary that they have an adequate curvature. This is not necessary in itself for non-prescription sunglasses, but it is often also done to give them a more enveloping effect, especially if they are aimed at sports. On the other hand, the glass of the sunglasses is carved, polished and treated to improve visibility and prevent scratches. For this reason, their manufacture is more expensive, while the price of eclipse glasses is very low. Simple but essential filters. The really important thing about approved eclipse glasses is that they have good filters. These must comply with the regulations EN ISO 12312-2:2015which ensures that no more than 0.00032% of visible sunlight is allowed to pass through. Sunglasses, on the other hand, are designed to avoid indirect damage, but not to look directly at the Sun, so a transmittance of 3% is sufficient in the highest protection categories. The filters used to achieve this great light blocking in eclipse glasses are manufactured with a black polymer or resin with carbon particles. The most used polymer is reflective Mylar.. Then, on top of the polymer, they have thin layers of aluminum, chrome or silver, which help optimize filtering. They are not difficult materials to obtain in the necessary quantities, so the final price is not exorbitant. There is no exclusivity, another reason for the price of eclipse glasses. Even if cheap materials are used, the filter still costs money. The thing is that, unlike what usually happens with sunglasses, eclipse glasses are usually produced on very large scales. Exclusivity is not sought nor does anything happen because there are many identical glasses. That, in the end, reduces costs a lot. Furthermore, with sunglasses we often pay for the brand and that is something that, logically, does not matter with glasses approved for viewing the eclipse. Even given as gifts. Producing these glasses is so cheap that some brands, businesses and institutions are already giving them away to ensure that we all see the eclipse on August 12 safely. In Spain, this will be the first of three eclipses in three consecutive years; So, contrary to usual, you will need these glasses again very soon. Whatever you buy, don’t get rid of them. Of course, if you see that the filter is broken or scratched, the protective metal layers may be damaged and good filtering is no longer guaranteed. In that case, buy others. After all, they are justifiably very cheap. Image | Magnific/NASA In Xataka | A third of Spain will be completely dark for a minute or two. The astronomical event of the century is approaching

There are already airlines planning flights to see the solar eclipse from the air: is it worth it?

by

The solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 will not be seen in Belgium in full totalitybut they are going to express the bias in a very curious way: planning a flight to see it from the air. It will be carried out by the Brussels Airlines companyin collaboration with the Urania Public Observatory, the University of Antwerp and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). In Spain, at the moment, there are companies using the solar eclipse only as a teaser. This is the case of Lufthansa, which is sending emails to its customers encouraging them to fly with them during the eclipse. However, for now they have not planned any specific flights, as the Belgian company has done. Better without clouds. The advantage of viewing a solar eclipse from the air is that commercial flights usually travel above the clouds, usually at altitudes between 9,000 and 13,000 meters. This allows you to see the solar eclipse without the obstruction of clouds, but also without other atmospheric distortions. In the case of the eclipse that will be seen in Spain this August 12, 2026, totality will take place around sunset. With the Sun so low on the horizon, it will be very important that the skies are sufficiently clear and clean to enjoy it in all its splendor. In Belgium the Moon will cover, in the best of cases, 91% of the Sun. It will also happen around sunset, so for Brussels Airlines, its proposal may be a good way to see it in this very particular situation. The details. The flight will leave Brussels for France at 7:20 p.m. and will arrive back in Belgian territory at 9:20 p.m. The maximum occultation of the Sun will take place at 8:21 p.m., in the middle of the trip. The 100 people who have purchased the flights will have plenty of space to observe the solar eclipse, since aisle seats will not be sold, in order to have greater visibility. The experience will be accompanied at all times by the comments of an expert from the Urania observatory and, of course, with protection, since the company will distribute approved glasses to all passengers. All for the modest? price of 299 euros. There are already testimonies. In reality, this will not be a pioneering trip. During the solar eclipse of 2024, for example, many American airlines planned flights specifically for observation. Furthermore, there are eclipse chasers who, after seeing many of these phenomena from the ground, wanted to try the experience in small planes. This is, for example, the case of Glenn Schneider, who in 2017 told in statements to Space that the image is very different from what is seen from the ground. With the air cleaner and the eclipse below, rather than above, it is easier to see the solar corona and specific details such as Baily’s pearls. In Spain what? Spain has already organized a multitude of parties and activities around the solar eclipse on August 12. At the moment, it does not seem that it has organized any flights, like the one that will be organized in Belgium. In this country they have wanted to hurry up, ensuring that there will not be another similar opportunity until September 2090. In Spain, luckily, there will be another solar eclipse within a single year. Perhaps this is the time for companies to get on the organized travel bandwagon. Image | Magnific/Wikimedia Commons In Xataka | Puertomingalvo, the Teruel town of 130 inhabitants that has been without free beds for the eclipse for more than a year

“Recording an eclipse with your cell phone is a mistake, we are going to miss the show”

by

Solar eclipses have gone through many phases throughout history. First they became objects of worship or spreaders of panic, depending on the civilization we are talking about. Later, once their origin was better understood, they became a very specific but extremely useful tool for astronomers, as it was the only way they could study the solar corona. Nowadays, no one (or almost no one) fears eclipses and scientists have tools that can replace them when studying the corona. However, they have not stopped being special. Now we have entered a new phase. A stage in which society enjoys them Instead of fearing them, scientists witness from the outside how the love of heaven that one day led them to choose their profession arises in other people. I have talked about this and much more with David Galadiastronomer, professor at the University of Córdoba and member of the Scientific and Advisory Commission of the Trio of Eclipses. The end of an era For a long time, solar eclipses have been used to study qualities of the Sun or Moon that are not normally measurable or visible. A solar eclipse was even used to prove Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. However, possibly those that stand out the most are the studies on the solar crown. That is, the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere. It is composed mostly of plasma, an ionized gas, whose atoms have gained or lost electrons, acquiring an electrical charge. This moving gas is what makes up the solar winds. It is also in the corona that coronal mass ejections are formed, which serve as the origin of geomagnetic storms. For all this, studying the solar corona is essential for scientists. However, there is a problem. The center of the Sun is so bright and it has such a dim glow that normally cannot be seen with conventional observation instruments. There is only one exception: a total solar eclipse. When the Moon completely covers the Sun, its brightness can no longer hide the solar corona from us and it suddenly appears in the sky. For decades, scientists had a few minutes with each eclipse to study it. Nowadays, fortunately, it is no longer necessary, since there are coronagraphsinstruments that have the ability to artificially “eclipse” both the Sun and other stars, revealing what we normally cannot see. However, there are still a few qualities that can only be studied in eclipses. “Coronographs cover not only the solar disk, but must also cover, due to unavoidable design needs, the chromosphere and the lowest part of the solar corona,” explains Galadí. “However, these regions can be observed well during a total solar eclipse.” On the other hand, “the coronagraph removes light from the solar photosphere, but does not reduce the brightness of the overall sky, so the outermost and faintest parts of the corona are also lost using these instruments.” Therefore, today we know the Sun and the Moon much better. The theory of general relativity continues to be constantly tested with new discoveries in the field of astronomy. And yes, you can study the solar corona without having to see a solar eclipse. However, these instruments prevent us from seeing it with the same clarity that we see it when the Moon completely eclipses the Sun. “Here we have the only two residues of heliophysics for which eclipses are still useful: the study of the link between the solar photosphere and the middle corona through the chromosphere and the lower corona, and to analyze the outermost coronal regions”. Now, in the future solar eclipses will not be necessary even for that; Well, there are already two missions underway aimed at solving the problem. “The observation of the external corona from space, with coronagraphs on artificial satellites, such as the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) of the European Space Agency in collaboration with NASA, avoids all the disadvantages due to the Earth’s atmosphere and its brightness,” says the astronomer from the University of Córdoba. “In addition, we have great technological innovations such as those of the mission Proba-3 (also from ESA), which are already allowing us to study the chromosphere and the lower corona from space, precisely by creating artificial eclipses.” Does all this mean that scientists will no longer have anything to study during a solar eclipse? Perhaps for astronomers there will come a time when they can focus only on looking at the sky and enjoying themselves. For other scientistssuch as those specialized in animal behavioralthough some studies had already been published previously, the real party begins now. “In animal ethology it is interesting study behavior when a sudden night occurs, uncoupled from other circadian rhythms,” says Galadí. “The behaviors of species when ‘turning off’ the Sun suddenly can only be due to the change in ambient light and temperature, but not to other external or internal factors.” The solar eclipse is now for society This August 12, 2026, there will be thousands or even millions of people who will travel or look for the best places near their homes to view the solar eclipse. These astronomical phenomena have become milestones that transcend far beyond science. It is time for society to enjoy them. David Galadí is clear about it: “Total solar eclipses are no longer science, or have almost ceased to be science, but they continue to constitute great natural spectacles with enormous potential to surprise people.” This can occur at many levels. “They have power as a source of artistic inspiration, tourist resourcean inexhaustible source of didactic or informative applications, and the ability to awaken vocations.” In fact, the latter is something in which he himself sees himself reflected. “Great astronomical events mark people, I myself am a product of the astronomical fever of Halley’s comet in the eighties.” In Spain we have a great opportunity, because It is not a single eclipse. Next year we will have another total solar eclipse and in 2028 an annular eclipse, which will provide new opportunities to enjoy them … Read more

In 2024, an eclipse wiped out 14 gigawatts from the Texas power grid. It is the best clue of what awaits Spain

by

On April 8, 2024, at 12:15 noon, 13.8 gigawatts of sunlight entered the grid in Texas. Forty five minutes later 800 megawatts left: The Sun had gone out. It is true that the gas covered the gap, that the batteries helped overcome the pothole and that no one found out about anything. But that eclipse and everything we learned from it are the best possible information to understand what is going to happen to Spain’s electrical grid this August 12. What will happen? That’s the curious thing. On August 12, 2026, when the shadow of the Moon cross Spain from A Coruña to Mahónnothing is going to happen. Absolutely nothing. And not because we have a model electrical grid, nor because (since the blackout) we have done our homework. Nothing will happen because it will be half past eight in the afternoon. What happened in Texas. According to ERCOT datathe Texan operator, photovoltaics went from 27.6% of the electricity mix to 1.7% and then back to 27% in just two hours. The gas filled around 80% of the gap and the batteries helped as well (with, around, 1.4 GW). The thing is that during the Texan midday there is a lot of sunlight. Between 8:28 p.m. and 8:32 p.m., the Sun It will be just 12 degrees above the horizon in Galicia and only 2 in the Balearic Islands: Solar energy available on the grid will already be very scarce. That is, the eclipse will arrive in Spain when the photovoltaics will already be turning off by themselves. So nothing will happen? Although there are no official forecasts yet published, calculations indicate that the eclipse will add a second-order disturbance: the loss it can cause (between 4-5 GW) is in the order that the network usually handles on August afternoons. Shouldn’t cause too many problems this August. And “this August” are the key words. Because if we are wondering about the impact of the eclipse in Spain, perhaps we are looking at the wrong eclipse. On August 2, 2027, between 10:45 and 11:20 in the morning, we will see how The Moon will cover a minimum of 70% of the solar disk throughout the national territory (85% in Madrid and close to 100% in Cádiz and Málaga). That will be a test for the electrical grid because 65% of Spain’s photovoltaic park is in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura and, at that time, it will be in full ascending ramp. And are we prepared? To tell the truth, it shouldn’t catch us by surprise. The Government has already created a commission with thirteen ministries for the trio of eclipses 2026-2028. However, today, we do not have a public plan for the network in 2027 and it would not be bad if someone started talking about this. Image | Luis Olmos | Martijn Baudoin In Xataka | A unique opportunity of 1 minute and 40 seconds: what citizens can contribute to science during the eclipse

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.