Spain has now gone 117 years (since 1905) without witnessing a total eclipse of the Sun, that is, when the sun is completely covered by the Moon and, therefore, it becomes night in broad daylight. It is a spectacular and unforgettable phenomenon for those who, in other parts of the Earth, have the opportunity to observe it. After so much waiting, Spain will be able to enjoy in this same decade three great solar eclipses in consecutive years. The first will be in 2026 and the next, in 2027. But, in addition, in 2028 there will be another one, this one of annular type, equally exceptional. It will undoubtedly be the ‘decade of solar eclipses‘ for our country.
The eclipse of August 2026
The first of these events will take place on August 12, 2026, late in the afternoon. It will not be visible throughout the country, but only along a 290-kilometer-wide strip that will include cities such as A Coruña, Gijón, Oviedo, Santander, Valladolid, Vitoria, Zaragoza, Valencia, Castellón, Tarragona and the Balearic Islands. Both Madrid and Barcelona will be left out of the totality band for very little, which will not prevent the phenomenon from continuing to be spectacular.
But what exactly will happen? For an observer (always provided with eye protection items), it will be appreciated how the Moon begins to overlap the Sun as if it were taking a ‘bite’. This bite will seem to get progressively larger, until it will occupy the entire solar disk, which will be completely covered by the Moon. This total eclipse situation will last just over a minute. From then on, the Sun will gradually recover ground until the terrestrial satellite completely withdraws and leaves it uncovered again.
The phenomenon will begin late in the afternoon of August 12, 2026, that is, when the Sun will already be low on the horizon. Therefore, it will be necessary to locate in places free of mountains or obstacles that can prevent its contemplation. Having the horizon of the sea in sight would be ideal or, at least, a plain without important elevations in the background.
The second total eclipse, in 2027
The following year, in 2027, the second total eclipse will arrive. It will be on August 2, also at sunset. Given that, like the previous one, it will take place in the middle of summer, it is to be hoped that the weather conditions will not prevent its perfect observation.
However, in this case the strip of totality of the eclipse will be smaller in our country (despite the fact that it can be seen from other neighboring Mediterranean countries). The places where the totality can be seen will be those located in the extreme south of the Peninsula, fundamentally from Cádiz to Málaga. However, Seville or Granada will be able to see, despite everything, a 98% obscuration. Ceuta and Melilla will also enjoy the show in its entirety.
The annular eclipse of 2028
And there will be more. The following year, 2028, we will be able to enjoy a new solar eclipse, this time annular. It will be on January 26. How is an annular eclipse different from a total eclipse? Basically, since the moon is a little further from the Earth and, therefore, has a smaller apparent size, it does not completely cover the Sun, leaving a visible ring around the moon.
It is, however, an equally unforgettable phenomenon and one that can be seen in much of the national territory, from Ibiza and Formentera, continuing through Valencia, Castellón, Alicante, Murcia and ending with Granada, Córdoba, Seville, Málaga and Cádiz.
The Canary Islands, however, will be left out of the most striking phase of these three astronomical events.
Experts remind that it is essential protect your eyes with glasses or other approved elements for the observation of the sun, not with anything. A smoked glass or any dark plastic is not enough. Observing the sun without the established precautions can cause irreversible damage.
More information about the fringes of each eclipse and their main characteristics can be obtained on this web page.