What time will the solar eclipse be visible in my city in Spain on 12 August?

The total solar eclipse will cross Spain this Wednesday at sunset, peaking around 8.30 pm. See when it will be visible in each city, where it is total, and its peak in Madrid and Barcelona. On Wednesday 12 August, Spain has a date with the sky. The total solar eclipse will sweep across much of the country in the final hours of the afternoon and millions of people will be able to witness one of the most eagerly awaited astronomical events of recent years. But there is a key question before heading out to find a spot to watch it: what time will the eclipse be visible in my city? There is no single answer for the whole of Spain. The Moon’s shadow will move from west to east and the moment of maximum darkness will vary slightly depending on the location. In general terms, the most eagerly awaited moment will come at around 20:30, although in some cities it will occur a few minutes earlier and in others a little later. What is more, not all of Spain will see a total eclipse. The path of totality will cross parts of the north and east of the peninsula before reaching the Balearic Islands. Outside that path, the eclipse will be partial, although in many places the Sun will be almost completely covered. What time will the eclipse be in each city? These are the approximate times of the totality phase in the main Spanish provincial capitals that lie within the path of the lunar shadow: - La Coruña: from 20:27 to 20:28. Totality will last for approximately 1 minute and 18 seconds. - Oviedo: between 20:27 and 20:28, with close to 1 minute and 48 seconds of totality. - Santander: between 20:26 and 20:28. Total darkness will last for around 1 minute and 2 seconds. - Bilbao: at around 20:27, although totality will be much shorter, at about 27 seconds. - Vitoria-Gasteiz: between 20:27 and 20:28, lasting for roughly 1 minute. - Lugo: between 20:28 and 20:29, with 1 minute and 25 seconds of totality. - León: between 20:28 and 20:30. Totality will last for around 1 minute and 45 seconds. - Burgos: between 20:28 and 20:30, lasting for approximately 1 minute and 43 seconds. - Logroño: between 20:28 and 20:29, with around 1 minute and 19 seconds of totality. - Palencia: between 20:29 and 20:30, lasting for approximately 1 minute and 42 seconds. - Soria: between 20:29 and 20:30, with 1 minute and 41 seconds of totality. - Zaragoza: between 20:29 and 20:30, lasting for approximately 1 minute and 23 seconds. - Lérida: at around 20:29, with a totality of barely 24 seconds. - Tarragona: between 20:29 and 20:30, lasting for about 58 seconds. - Zamora: between 20:30 and 20:31, with around 24 seconds of totality. - Segovia: between 20:31 and 20:32. Totality will last for approximately one minute. - Guadalajara: between 20:31 and 20:32, lasting for approximately 1 minute and 8 seconds. - Teruel: between 20:31 and 20:32, with around 1 minute and 35 seconds of totality. - Castellón: between 20:31 and 20:32, lasting for approximately 1 minute and 34 seconds. - Palma de Mallorca: between 20:31 and 20:32, with around 1 minute and 36 seconds of totality. - Cuenca: between 20:32 and 20:33, lasting for about 57 seconds. - Valencia: between 20:32 and 20:33, with approximately one minute of totality. What time will the eclipse be in Madrid and Barcelona? Two of Spain’s most populous cities will lie outside the main path of totality. In Madrid, the eclipse will be partial and will reach its maximum at around 20:32. The situation is particularly unusual because the edge of the path of totality passes very close to the capital and reaches parts of the municipal area close to Barajas. In Barcelona, totality will also not occur. The moment of maximum obscuration of the Sun will be at approximately 20:29. That does not mean the phenomenon will go unnoticed. From both cities it will be possible to observe a very deep partial eclipse, although there will be no brief spell of darkness such as that experienced in towns and cities lying within the path of totality. The shadow will cross Spain in just a few minutes The time differences between cities are due to the path of the Moon’s shadow. The area of total darkness will enter from the west and cross Spain on its way towards the Balearic Islands. That is why, while in places such as Santander, Oviedo or La Coruña the decisive moment will come at around 20:27, in locations further east such as Valencia, Castellón or Palma it will occur several minutes later. All this will happen with the Sun very close to the horizon. The eclipse will coincide with sunset, a circumstance that will make it especially important to choose a place with a clear view to the west, without buildings, mountains or trees blocking the Sun in those crucial minutes. An eclipse that will be visible across Spain Those outside the path of totality will also be able to follow the event. The eclipse will be visible, at least partially, from all Spanish territory, including the Canary Islands. The big difference will lie in those seconds when the Moon completely covers the solar disc. Within the path of totality, the sky will darken rapidly and it will be possible to observe the solar corona for a brief interval. Outside that path, a small part of the Sun will remain visible even at maximum eclipse, so the sky will never take on the characteristic appearance of a total eclipse. And one final warning will be essential, regardless of the city from which it is observed: you must not look directly at the Sun without certified protective equipment during the partial phases of the eclipse. Ordinary sunglasses are not suitable for observing the event safely.