The Canary Islands Government and the Elder Museum of Science and Technology are organising a special public viewing event this Wednesday, 12 August, for the solar eclipse, an astronomical phenomenon that will reach a maximum coverage of up to 77 per cent in the Islands.
To allow residents and visitors to observe the event safely, the organisation has created a network of eight official viewing points across the archipelago. These locations, described as “cosmic watchtowers”, will be distributed across the eight islands, including La Graciosa.
The eclipse will begin at 7.06pm, reach its maximum point at 7.54pm and end at around 8.42pm. In total, the phenomenon will last approximately two hours and will coincide with sunset, making the western horizon especially important for visibility.
Unlike some areas of mainland Spain, where the Moon will completely cover the Sun’s disc, the eclipse in the Canary Islands will be partial. Even so, a high percentage of coverage will be visible across the archipelago.
Timeline of the solar eclipse in the Canary Islands
The eclipse will begin at 7.06pm, when the Moon will start to pass in front of the Sun. The maximum occultation, estimated at up to 77 per cent, will occur at 7.54pm. The event is expected to end at around 8.42pm, with a total duration of approximately two hours.
The eight viewing points across the islands
The Elder Museum will set up one official viewing point on each island. These points will be open from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and will be staffed by two science communicators at each location.
The programme will also include educational activities and the free distribution of approved protective glasses so that the public can observe the eclipse safely.
The official public observation points will be located at the following sites:
In Tenerife, the viewing point will be on Avenida del Emigrante, in Guía de Isora.
In Gran Canaria, it will be located on Calle Doctor Domingo Hernández Guerra, in Tejeda.
In Lanzarote, the chosen location is the La Santa seafront promenade, in Tinajo.
In Fuerteventura, the observation point will be at El Tostón Castle, in El Cotillo.
In La Palma, the event will take place at Los Tarajales Beach, in Tazacorte.
In La Gomera, the viewing point will be in Plaza de San Pedro, in Valle Gran Rey.
In El Hierro, the chosen location is La Maceta, in La Frontera.
In La Graciosa, the observation point will be in Plaza del Puerto de Caleta de Sebo.
The manager of the Elder Museum, José Gilberto Moreno, explained that the locations have mainly been selected on the western side of each island in order to guarantee a direct view of the Sun in the hours leading up to sunset.
However, the eclipse will be visible from anywhere in the archipelago, provided that the western horizon is clear and there are no obstacles blocking the view.
The Regional Minister for Tourism and Employment, Jessica de León, stressed that the event is an opportunity to position the Canary Islands as a unique destination and to highlight the quality of the skies in the autonomous community.
Official observation points: the “Cosmic Watchtowers”
The official observation points will operate with guides from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Each location is expected to receive between 2,000 and 3,000 pairs of approved protective glasses. In addition, 125,000 certified units will be distributed across the islands through ONCE.
Safety protocol and risk of eye injury
Organisers and health authorities have reminded the public that looking directly at a solar eclipse without suitable protection can cause irreversible damage to the retina. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for eclipse viewing, as they do not provide adequate protection against the infrared and ultraviolet radiation involved in this type of event.
To observe the eclipse safely, the Elder Museum recommends using only certified filters and approved eclipse glasses that comply with the relevant safety standards. Observation should also be intermittent. The public is advised to look at the Sun for periods of less than 30 seconds and to take breaks of around 15 minutes between viewings.
The museum also recommends putting the glasses on correctly before turning towards the Sun. Viewers should stand with their back to the Sun, adjust the glasses securely to their face and only then turn towards the eclipse. People who wear contact lenses or prescription glasses should place the protective filter over their glasses.
Children must be supervised at all times. Adults should make sure the glasses are properly fitted and do not move out of place accidentally.
Moreno warned that retinal damage does not necessarily cause immediate pain, which can make it especially dangerous. He noted that during other astronomical events, serious burns have appeared in medical consultations up to 48 hours later.
To reduce this risk, the Elder Museum will distribute between 2,000 and 3,000 special glasses at each observation point, in addition to the 125,000 units provided by ONCE in the Canary Islands.
Accessibility for people with visual impairments
The viewing point in Tejeda, on Gran Canaria, will include the LightSound system, a technical device that converts changes in light intensity into audible tones in real time.
This technology will allow blind and visually impaired people to follow the progress of the eclipse as the Moon passes across the Sun’s disc.
The event also marks the beginning of a cycle of solar eclipses visible from Spanish territory between 2026 and 2028, which the organisation is promoting through the documentary 3CLIPSE in planetariums across Spain and Europe.
