Why is Mallorca the best place to see the eclipse?

PalmaMallorca has become a pilgrimage site to experience the eclipse. People from all over the world have bought flights to come to the island to see the astronomical phenomenon and the big question that arises is none other: why Mallorca, if it can be seen from many other places in the world?

There are several factors that have made the island the great stage for contemplating the eclipse. The first of all – perhaps it is also the most obvious reason, but not one of the first that comes to mind when the question is asked – is because Mallorca, among the places where the eclipse can be seen, is the one with the fewest chances of being foggy on that day. Astronomer Ramon Oliver assures that this is the most "easy and clear" answer. "It's pure statistics," he ratifies.

It must be taken into account that the eclipse mainly passes over the sea or over areas that are usually foggy at this time of year, such as Iceland, Greenland, and Ireland. "Since it is a phenomenon that will last a minute and a half, you always look for where you can see it best and with the fewest risks," highlights Oliver.

This, however, is not the only reason that makes Mallorca the most special place. Astronomical communicator Pep Marcús explains that another key element in understanding the reasons that have made Mallorca the great international viewpoint is that the island is one of the places where "there will be more darkness, even more than in the rest of the islands of the Archipelago." "In many places it will last a few seconds; in others, about a minute, but in Mallorca it will be seen for a minute and thirty-six seconds," he affirms.

The sunset, the main attraction

The two astronomers agree that the fact that the phenomenon can be seen in Mallorca during sunset also attracts a lot of people. "It significantly increases the spectacularity of the eclipse," assures Oliver. For his part, Marcús explains that really those people who see the eclipse from Mallorca will have two sunsets, a fact "unheard of and almost never seen." This is also a differentiating factor with the eclipse that will be experienced in the rest of the Balearic Islands, as Mallorca will be the place where the total eclipse will be closest to sunset.

Thus, according to the experts, there will be two sunsets in just twenty minutes: the first will be total (the eclipse), and the second, partial, since when the Sun withdraws behind the horizon it will still be partially eclipsed.

The astronomical spectacle does not end with the eclipse

The eclipse will not be the only meteorological phenomenon that will be experienced that day, since on August 12 (and 13) the days of maximum splendor of the Perseids will be experienced, a meteor shower caused by the cosmic dust tail that comet Swift-Tuttle releases as it passes. This spectacle will be seen a few minutes after the end of the eclipse, once it gets dark. The two astronomers encourage the population to stay longer and enjoy the meteor shower.

They add that staying to watch the Perseids "can be a way for people not to leave all at once" and thus avoid crowds and problems during the return trip home.

The data

The eclipse will be partially visible in northern North America, much of Europe, and western Africa, while the path of totality will cross the Arctic Ocean, northeastern Greenland, western Iceland, and the Iberian Peninsula from west to east. In the State, the phenomenon will be total in a large part of the northern half of the peninsula and will pass through cities such as A Coruña, León, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Palma.

The eclipse will begin at 5:34 PM and end at 9:58 PM, with a total duration of almost four and a half hours. The point of maximum intensity will be recorded near Iceland, where the totality phase will reach 2 minutes and 18 seconds. In Palma, the eclipse will begin at 7:38 PM and reach its maximum at 8:32 PM, when the Sun will be just two degrees above the horizon, a few minutes before sunset.