The place from where you will see the total eclipse is decided this week in the Balearic Islands

The location from which the total solar eclipse of August 12 will be visible is beginning to be decided this week in the Balearic Islands. Between this Tuesday and Wednesday, citizens can check from which points they will have good visibility of the phenomenon in a test that will serve both to choose the observation site in advance and to create a map with recommended areas throughout the archipelago.

The eclipse will be an exceptional event: the Balearic Islands will be one of the few places in Europe from which it can be observed in its entirety. But it also presents a key difficulty: the sun will be very low on the horizon, so any obstacle — a building, a tree, or a terrain elevation — can prevent its view.

For this reason, the Government and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), with the collaboration of AstroMallorca and Civil Protection volunteers, have launched a simple visibility test open to everyone. The results will make it possible to identify the ideal observation points and help avoid mass displacements on the day of the eclipse.

A simple test to know if the place is suitable

The test is carried out on April 29 and 30. At the time indicated for each zone, position yourself at the point from which you want to observe the eclipse and look towards the sunset.

If the sun is visible at that moment, it will also be on August 12 during totality. If, on the other hand, it is covered or has already set, you will have to look for another nearby point with a more open horizon. It is often enough to move a few hundred meters to find a better location.

The schedules vary by island:

• Menorca: 8:25 PM
• North and central Mallorca: 8.26 p.m.
• South Mallorca: 8:27 PM
• Ibiza and Formentera: 20.28 h

The sun's position these days is practically the same as it will be on August 12th at the moment of totality, which makes the test a very reliable simulation of real conditions.

A map to avoid crowds

With the data collected in recent days, a map with optimal and safe observation points is expected to be prepared in the coming weeks across all the Islands. The objective is for each municipality to have adequate spaces to concentrate the population and thus avoid saturations, especially in sensitive areas such as the Serra de Tramuntana.

The Government is also working with the tourism sector so that hotels and establishments provide their own observation spaces, with the intention of reducing travel during high season.

Precautions and recommendations

During this week's test, it is not necessary to observe the sun for a prolonged period: it is enough to briefly check if it is visible. In any case, it is recommended to avoid looking at it directly for more than a few seconds.

On the day of the eclipse, however, it will be essential to use approved eye protection at all times, except during the brief moments of totality.

The main recommendation is clear: conduct the test from a point close to your place of residence or from where you plan to watch the phenomenon. If visibility is good, there will be no need to travel on August 12.

The eclipse will begin at 7:38 PM, when the moon will begin to interpose between the Earth and the sun. Between 8:30 PM and 8:34 PM, the day will turn into night for a few moments during which the solar corona will become visible. It will be an exceptional opportunity that will not be repeated for many years. And, in large part, the place from where it can be experienced in the best conditions is being decided these days.