Canary Islands will be the first Spanish region in which a partial solar eclipse will begin to be visible next Saturday, in which for just over an hour and a half the Moon will hide part of the sunlight and that, in the case of the island of La Palma, will cover 24% of the solar disk.
Although subtle to the naked eye, a solar eclipse becomes a fascinating experience and an astronomical phenomenon that, today, continues to be observed with amazement, as explained this Wednesday by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC).
This is how the solar eclipse will be this Saturday, March 29: how to observe it
Although it is not a total eclipse, the experience is still unique and exciting as this event represents an opportunity to learn more about celestial mechanics and reflect on the cosmos, says the scientific center.
The event can be observed from all over Spain with variations in the fraction of the Sun that will be hidden depending on the region and in the case of the Canary Islands, the first autonomous community in which it will begin to be visible, in La Palma it will cover 24% of the solar disk, in Tenerife 22% and in Lanzarote 19%.
The phenomenon will develop over just over an hour and a half, which will allow you to enjoy it calmly and, always taking the necessary security measures, take the opportunity to take photographs or make simple astronomical observations.
The IAC also details the estimated times for observing the eclipse which, as an example, in Tenerife will begin at 09:15 local time on Saturday, will have its maximum at 10:04 and will end at 10:56.
What is a solar eclipse and how is it formed?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, projecting its shadow on this planet, and this shadow is divided into two clearly differentiated zones: the umbra, which gives rise to a total eclipse (when the Moon completely covers the solar disk), and the penumbra, from where only a partial occultation of the Sun is observed.
When the alignment is not perfect for a total eclipse, as will occur on March 29, 2025, a partial eclipse occurs.
Although the mechanics of eclipses are clearly understood today, for centuries these events generated amazement, fear and myths in different cultures, as recalled by the IAC.
It also specifies that observing a solar eclipse without adequate protection can cause irreversible damage to the eyes and therefore it is essential to follow certain recommendations, such as using special glasses for eclipses, which are already certified, and never look at the Sun "with the naked eye" or through normal sunglasses, x-rays, CD/DVD or smoked glass.
In this regard, the IAC indicates that a homemade projector can be made to observe the eclipse indirectly, for which you only need a cardboard with a small hole to let sunlight through and project its image on a white surface.
If you have a telescope or binoculars, make sure to place specific solar filters on the front of the instrument.
Activities and live broadcast
On the occasion of the eclipse, the IAC will organize informative activities for all audiences, including the live broadcast of the phenomenon from its headquarters in La Laguna, with free access via the internet, educational content on social networks and resources for schools and associations.
In addition, at the Teide Observatory there will be astronomers who will disseminate the phenomenon to the media and members of the 'Friends of the IAC' program who will participate in the observation.
