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Those of us who love to look at the sky in search of astronomical landmarks are in luck: the classic summer Perseid shower is joined by the first of the three eclipses planned between 2026 and 2028that of August 12. It will be a historic event in that it will be the first total eclipse visible on the peninsula since 1912. There is still time to find a good place free of light pollution (or at least, not “light pollution dump“) close to where we are. That is, if we are lucky enough that the solar eclipse is full wherever we are. Taking into account that it will be in the middle of August, surely there are those who are preparing a getaway to a potentially ideal location. In addition to finding a place where the eclipse is total and free of buildings and streetlights, if we want to enjoy the solar eclipse in its maximum splendorthere are other aspects to take into account, such as whether the shadows will bother us or how long it will be visible. The National Geographic Institute has a section on your website where to monitor in which parts of the world the solar eclipse will be seen and which areas will be partial and which will be total. Thus, we hope to see it in North America, much of Europe and West Africa. Where to best see the total solar eclipse, on an interactive map But it will only be total in a relatively wide strip, the one you see in the dark that crosses the Arctic Ocean, the northeast of Greenland and the extreme west of Iceland, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to enter the Iberian Peninsula. The time when the eclipse will be at its maximum It will be at 19 hours and 46 minutes (peninsular time) and at that point on the planet (near Iceland) it will last at most two minutes and 18 seconds. Where the solar eclipse will be seen: areas where it will be total and areas where it will be partial. IGN The total eclipse will cross the Iberian Peninsula from west to east from A Coruña to Palma, passing through cities such as Lugo, Oviedo, León, Zamora, Valladolid, Palencia, Segovia, Burgos, Soria, Santander, Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Logroño, Guadalajara, Cuenca, Zaragoza, Teruel, Lleida, Tarragona, València and Castelló de la Plana. In Spain, the local maximum will occur around 8:28–32 minutes, and totality will last up to 1 minute and 50 seconds at the point of longest duration (the Asturian coast). Madrid and Barcelona are outside the strip: although they will see a visually impressive 99% partial eclipse, it will not reach the point that will be seen in the strip. This IGN interactive map It has an animation where you can see the progress of the shadow that will form the superimposition of the moon on the sun. The shadow of the solar eclipse, in an animation If you are interested in having more precise information about a specific location, it includes a box where you can enter addresses or cities, which opens the doors to having data such as its visibility profile, duration, when it will start, its peak point or the time you will be able to see it. Eclipse data for Estella – Lizarra. IGN On the right side it has several options such as sharing information, background layers for example the satellite view or a particularly interesting one: layers. Thus, you can activate the duration to know in which areas you can enjoy more viewing time, the degree of obscuration or visibility, because you could go out into nature to see it without being bothered by the lights and discover that the shadows of the terrain disturb your vision. The interactive map, with visibility, darkness and duration layers activated. IGN An important detail for choosing the site: The eclipse will occur at sunset, with the sun low on the horizon, which will require observing it in a place that offers good visibility to the west, without mountains, buildings or trees that obstruct. On the other hand, remember not to look at the sun directly except during that period when the eclipse is total. But it’s better not to risk it and use approved glasses. In Xataka | Solar eclipses visible in Spain: these are the three astronomical events of 2026, 2027 and 2028 In Xataka | Half of Spain waits expectantly for the historic eclipse of August 2026. The authorities are already thinking about the problems Cover | IGN and Kevin Baird