On August 12, a total solar eclipse will coincide with sunset in the Balearics, a phenomenon that will not be repeated for two hundred years. Mallorca is preparing to welcome thousands of astronomy enthusiasts.
On August 12, the sky over Mallorca will offer an exceptional astronomical show: a total solar eclipse that will coincide with sunset. For just one minute, the Moon will completely cover the solar disc, plunging the sunset into sudden darkness. This phenomenon, which will not occur again in the islands for two hundred years, will make the archipelago one of the most privileged places in Europe to observe it.
“The Balearics will be one of the sites where the experience will be most spectacular because there will be an eclipsed sunset: it will become an observatory,” explains Amado Carbonell, spokesperson for the Astronomical Institute of Mallorca and president of the Costitx Observatory. The coincidence of the eclipse with dusk will make the Sun set twice: first it will be hidden by the Moon and then it will sink below the horizon.
The eclipse will begin with a partial phase, as the Moon starts to progressively cover the Sun and the light gradually diminishes over a little more than an hour. The climax will arrive with totality, which will last just one minute: the Moon will completely obscure the solar disc and allow the observation of the Sun's corona, a faint halo of light that is normally hidden by the intense brightness of the photosphere.
Afterwards, the Moon will gradually reveal the Sun again and the eclipse will return to being partial until it subsides. The light will return gradually, although the spectacle will conclude shortly after with the sunset over the western horizon. It is precisely this coincidence between the eclipse and dusk that will make the phenomenon exceptional in the Balearics.
In the islands, the eclipse will be very low, at just 2.4 degrees above the horizon, barely two fingers' width. “Visually, it will be a spectacle that will not be repeated in two hundred years in the islands,” assures Carbonell. The best place to observe it will be the Balearic Sea, right over the line that separates the sky from the Mediterranean.
The darkening will sweep across the peninsula from west to east — from Asturias to the Valencian Community — before leaving Spanish territory at Cap de Barbaria, the southernmost point of Formentera. In Mallorca, the most western points, such as the Serra de Tramuntana, will offer the best views, provided the sky is clear.
The coincidence of the eclipse with sunset is a draw for thousands of astronomy enthusiasts and tourists who are already planning their trip. “If you have never seen an eclipse, the best places to go are Iceland or points in northern Spain like Asturias or Galicia,” points out Javier Ares, representative of Polaris Menorca and former president of the Biosphere Reserve of Menorca. However, the uniqueness of the eclipsed sunset makes the Balearics a unique destination.
Experts recommend seeking elevated places with a clear western horizon, such as viewpoints or cliffs on the west coast. They also warn of the need to protect one's eyes with special eclipse glasses during the partial phases, and remind that only during the minute of totality can one look directly at the Sun without protection.
Light pollution is a concern for astronomers. “Light pollution is advancing at a crazy speed,” warns Carbonell, who points out that artificial light from cities can reduce visibility of the phenomenon. Therefore, he recommends moving away from urban areas to fully enjoy the eclipse.
For residents of Mallorca, the eclipse will serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving the darkness of the night sky. The Costitx Observatory and other astronomical entities will organize public observation activities, although details have yet to be finalized. It is expected that in the coming weeks, the observation points and safety measures will be specified.
The eclipse on August 12 will undoubtedly be one of the most significant astronomical events of the year in Europe. For Mallorca, it represents a unique opportunity to showcase its sky and natural heritage, but also a logistical challenge and a call to awareness about light pollution. Enthusiasts are already counting down the days to witness a phenomenon that will not occur again for two centuries.
You may also like
