Free Astronomy Event Coinciding with Solar Eclipse and Perseids in Fuerteventura
On 12 August, the Cabildo, via Fuerteventura Museums, will host a free astronomy event at the Interpretation Centre of La Atalayita. This coincides with an eagerly anticipated partial solar eclipse and the annual Perseid meteor shower.
Rayco León, a representative of Fuerteventura Museums, unveiled the plans alongside members of AstroCiencia Nómada, which will facilitate the activities. The event aims to engage the public with accessible scientific experiences suitable for all ages.
León stated, “La Atalayita offers exceptional conditions for astronomical observation. The overlap of the solar eclipse and the Perseids makes this day special, and we want to bring astronomy closer to the community in an engaging and participatory way.”
Carlos Muñoz from AstroCiencia Nómada added that Fuerteventura will be one of the best places in the Canary Islands to view the eclipse, with around a 72% coverage. As the eclipse occurs near sunset, it promises a stunning visual display before the meteor shower begins.
A Day of Stargazing
The programme kicks off at 10:00 with professional solar telescopes, offering safe viewing of the sun alongside educational talks, spectrography demonstrations, and a meteorite showcase. Attendees will receive certified eclipse glasses to ensure safe viewing.
From 16:00, workshops focused on the sun and solar eclipses will lead into the partial eclipse observation, peaking at 19:53.
Evening activities will start at 21:00, featuring a workshop on astrophotography and observation of the Perseids. Participants can help count shooting stars and view Saturn and deep-sky objects using specialised equipment available throughout the day.
With professional telescopes and scientific instruments, the event provides a unique opportunity to experience the eclipse, the meteor shower, and the night sky from one of Fuerteventura’s most notable heritage sites.
This activity is free and open to everyone, with no prior registration required. For more details and a full programme, visit the appropriate cultural agenda website.
Safe Eclipse Viewing Glasses Available
To encourage participation, organisers will distribute certified solar viewing glasses until supplies last. Glasses can be collected from:
- Fuerteventura Archaeological Museum
- Ecomuseum La Alcogida
- El Cuchillete and Tamasite Battle Interpretation Centres
- La Cilla Grain Museum
- La Ampuyenta Cultural Heritage Complex
- Citizen Attention Offices in Morro Jable
- Citizen Attention Offices in Gran Tarajal
Additionally, on 12 August, glasses will also be available at the event site and during another activity held for International Youth Day organized by the Education and Youth department.
To ensure maximum safety, each person can collect a maximum of two pairs of glasses. Early collection is advised to guarantee availability.
