Enjoy the Solar Eclipse on August 12 with Safety Tips from the MCC
The Tenerife Science and Cosmos Museum (MCC) is encouraging residents to witness the solar eclipse on August 12. They emphasise the importance of using approved protective eyewear for safe viewing.
As part of the national campaign ‘A Unique View. Take Care of It’, run by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the ONCE foundation, and the Association of Museums and Science and Technology Centres in Spain, the MCC will distribute free eclipse glasses starting July 27 until supplies last. This initiative aims to promote safe eclipse viewing and raise awareness about the need to protect eyesight during such events.
José Carlos Acha, the island’s Councillor for Culture, Museums, and Sports, invites everyone to take part, stating that the eclipse offers “an exceptional opportunity to connect with astronomy and enjoy a natural phenomenon of great beauty, always through responsible and safe observation.”
He added, “We want to ensure people experience this event safely by providing the right means to protect their eyesight and enhancing scientific outreach to society as a whole.”
On the mainland, the eclipse will be total, with the Moon fully covering the sun for just over a minute and a half. However, in the Canary Islands, it will be a partial eclipse, with around 70% of the sun obscured.
Astrophysicist Oswaldo González Sánchez from the MCC explained that “in the islands, we will see a partial eclipse covering approximately 70% of the sun, so proper glasses must be used.” He warned against using makeshift methods like smoked glass or photographic film, which do not provide adequate protection.
The eclipse can be viewed in the Canary Islands between 19:57 and sunset. Finding a good vantage point is crucial, particularly since the island’s mountainous terrain may block visibility in some areas.
This eclipse is part of a series of significant solar eclipses visible from Spain in 2026, 2027, and 2028, including two total eclipses and one annular eclipse. Additionally, a partial lunar eclipse will occur two weeks later during the full moon.
For more information about the upcoming eclipses, visit this link.
