Total solar eclipse on August 12th, 2026

Crèdits: Instituto Geográfico Nacional

Eclipse visibility in Catalonia 

Catalonia will play a very special role during the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026. Although Barcelona and Girona will be outside the zone of totality, cities such as Lleida and Tarragona will be able to enjoy the phenomenon in its maximum splendor, especially in Terres de l'Ebre and the south of Lleida.

Credit: App Eclipsi Calculator 2.0.

To observe the eclipse well, you must choose a place with clear views to the west to avoid obstacles such as mountains or buildings, since the Sun will be very low during totality.

These places are located within or very close to the totality strip, and offer good observation conditions to the west, which is where the Sun will be during the phenomenon (very low on the horizon).

Recommendation: Choose a high place or with clear views to the west (such as a beach or a viewpoint) to avoid natural obstacles such as mountains or buildings, since the Sun will be very low during totality.

You can check the visibility of the capital municipalities of the region of Catalonia here:

🗺️ Recommended interactive maps: These maps allow you to click on any point in the territory to see local circumstances: start time, maximum, end time, percentage of obscuration (or percentage of the solar disk covered by the Moon), etc.

Instituto Geográfico Nacional map: combines eclipse data with terrain orography data, to indicate the visibility of the eclipse from a specific location.

Credit: Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN)

Xavier M. Jubier's map

Interactive map with the path of the eclipse of August 12, 2026 (photo: Google Maps). Credits: Xavier Jubier, NASA, Instituto Geográfico Nacional.

Safe observation

Total solar eclipses are spectacular astronomical phenomena, but they must be observed with great caution to avoid irreversible eye damage. During most of the eclipse, part of the solar disk remains visible, and its light can burn the retina without causing immediate pain.

The Sun can only be looked at directly at the exact moment of totality, when the solar disk is completely covered by the Moon. This moment lasts a few minutes and is only visible from the band of totality. Outside this interval, appropriate protection must be used.

Safe methods for observing a solar eclipse:

• Approved eclipse glasses: They must comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard. Conventional sunglasses, or homemade filters such as photographic negatives, CDs or smoked glass, will not work.
• Solar filters for telescopes or binoculars: They must be placed on the objective (never on the eyepiece) and be designed specifically for solar observation.
• Indirect projection: The image of the Sun can be projected through a small hole (pinhole) or with a telescope onto a white surface. This method is safe because you are not looking directly at the Sun.
• Live broadcast: Many observatories and scientific institutions offer online broadcasts of eclipses with expert commentary.
• Important precautions:
  • Never look directly at the Sun without adequate protection, not even during a partial eclipse.
  • Do not use optical devices (telescopes, cameras, binoculars) without approved solar filters, as they can concentrate sunlight and cause serious injuries.
  • Supervise children during observation to ensure they follow safety rules.

📌 General data

Links of intrest:

• Observatorio Astronómico Nacional
• Comissió Nacional de l'Eclipse (CNE)
• Eclipsophile: Climate and Weather for Celestial events.
• Visualitzador de l'eclipsi total de Sol del 12 d'agost de 2026 a l'Observatorio Astronómico Nacional
• Interactive map Shadepmap
• Interactive map Besselianelements