The Canary Islands Government and the Elder Museum of Science and Technology are hosting a public viewing event for the solar eclipse on Wednesday, 12 August. The eclipse is expected to reach a maximum coverage of 77% across the archipelago.
To facilitate safe viewing, eight official observation points, described as “cosmic watchtowers,” will be established across the islands, including La Graciosa. The eclipse will begin at 7.06pm, peak at 7.54pm, and conclude by about 8.42pm, coinciding with sunset and making the western horizon particularly important for visibility.
Unlike mainland Spain, where the Moon will fully obscure the Sun, the eclipse in the Canary Islands will be partial, but significant coverage will still be observable.
Viewing Locations:
Each island will have one official observation point, open from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, staffed with two science communicators. The locations are:
- Tenerife: Avenida del Emigrante, Guía de Isora
- Gran Canaria: Calle Doctor Domingo Hernández Guerra, Tejeda
- Lanzarote: La Santa seafront promenade, Tinajo
- Fuerteventura: El Tostón Castle, El Cotillo
- La Palma: Los Tarajales Beach, Tazacorte
- La Gomera: Plaza de San Pedro, Valle Gran Rey
- El Hierro: La Maceta, La Frontera
- La Graciosa: Plaza del Puerto de Caleta de Sebo
José Gilberto Moreno, manager of the Elder Museum, noted that the locations were chosen primarily on the western sides of the islands to ensure a clear view of the Sun before sunset. However, a clear view from anywhere in the archipelago is possible if the horizon is unobstructed.
Jessica de León, the Regional Minister for Tourism and Employment, highlighted the event’s potential to enhance the Canary Islands’ reputation as a unique destination and showcase its excellent skies.
Safety and Viewing Guidance:
Organisers emphasise the importance of proper eye protection when viewing the eclipse, as ordinary sunglasses are inadequate. Approved eclipse glasses will be distributed at the viewing points, where 2,000 to 3,000 pairs will be available at each site, in addition to 125,000 glasses provided across the islands.
The public is advised to observe intermittently, looking at the Sun for less than 30 seconds with breaks of about 15 minutes. For those wearing glasses, protective filters should be placed over prescriptions before facing the Sun.
Children must be supervised, and users should ensure glasses are secure. Moreno cautioned that damage from looking directly at the Sun may not be immediately painful, which increases the risk.
Accessibility Features:
In Tejeda, Gran Canaria, the LightSound system will help visually impaired individuals follow the eclipse by converting light changes into audible tones.
This event marks the start of a series of solar eclipses visible from Spain between 2026 and 2028, promoted through the 3CLIPSE documentary shown in planetariums across Europe.
