Anyone staying in Tenerife on Wednesday 12 August will have the chance to witness a remarkable natural phenomenon. That evening, a solar eclipse will take place, which will be total across a wide area of mainland Spain. In the Canary Islands, the sun will not be completely covered, but according to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), approximately 70 to 75 per cent of the solar disc will disappear behind the moon.
Observation point
In Tenerife, the eclipse will begin at around 6:58 p.m. The maximum phase is expected at approximately 7:53 p.m., and the phenomenon will end at around 8:45 p.m., almost at the same time as sunset. This makes the choice of viewing location particularly important. During the final phase, the sun will be very low in the sky, meaning that mountains, buildings or other obstacles could easily block the view. The IAC therefore recommends choosing a location with a completely unobstructed view towards the west or northwest.
For those who would like to experience the event in the company of others and with expert guidance, Tenerife will have a so-called “cosmic viewpoint”. It will be set up on Avenida del Emigrante in Guía de Isora. The initiative is part of a programme organised by the Canary Islands Government and the Spanish organisation for the blind, ONCE. An observation point will be set up on each of the eight Canary Islands. At these locations, visitors will receive information about the phenomenon and around 2,000 approved eclipse glasses will be distributed at each observation point.
Use eclipse glasses
Accessibility has also been taken into account. ONCE will provide a system that allows blind and visually impaired visitors to follow the progress of the eclipse through sound. This means that the observation will not only be an astronomical event, but also a shared experience accessible to a wider audience.
Safe viewing is essential, however. Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent eye damage, even when a large part of the sun is covered by the moon. The IAC recommends using only eclipse glasses that comply with the international ISO 12312-2 standard, or safe projection methods that do not require looking directly at the sun. Ordinary sunglasses and improvised solutions do not provide sufficient protection.
Partial eclipse
Extra caution is required when using binoculars, telescopes, cameras and mobile phones. These devices should not be pointed directly at the sun without solar filters specifically designed for this purpose. Concentrated sunlight can damage not only the eyes, but also the equipment itself.
Anyone wishing to watch the spectacle should therefore choose a suitable observation point in advance and make sure they have safe eclipse glasses in good time. Because the sun will already be low in the sky during the maximum phase, locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon will be the most suitable. The organised observation point in Guía de Isora is an interesting option for visitors who would like to experience the phenomenon with expert explanations and safety measures in place.
The eclipse on 12 August will be one of the most remarkable astronomical events of the summer. Tenerife will not experience a total eclipse, but around three quarters of the sun will disappear behind the moon shortly before it appears to set into the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo: AI ChatGPT
Interested in Tenerife?
Subscribe to our newsletter and always stay informed about the news on Tenerife.
Enter your first name and a valid email address below. Then click on Subscribe.
