On 12 August Lanzarote will turn its gaze to the sky for one of the most eagerly awaited astronomical events in years. Although the eclipse will be total in parts of the Iberian Peninsula, from the island it will be visible as a spectacular partial eclipse, with the Moon covering around three quarters of the solar disc at the moment of maximum coverage.
The event has generated huge anticipation across Europe and in the Canary Islands too, where scientific institutions and public authorities have organised special activities so that people can follow it safely. Lanzarote will have one of the archipelago's main official viewing points, and various organisations will take the opportunity to bring astronomy closer to the public.
If you are planning to watch the eclipse, this guide brings together everything you need to know: times, safety advice, recommended spots and the activities scheduled on the island.
What exactly will we see from Lanzarote?
The total eclipse will not be visible from Lanzarote, as the path of complete darkness will cross northern Spain, Iceland and Greenland. Even so, it will still be a striking sight, as the Moon will cover approximately 73-77 % of the Sun, depending on the exact viewing point.
The drop in light will be clearly noticeable and the landscape will take on a very different light from usual, especially as the eclipse takes place in the late afternoon and early evening.
Eclipse times in Lanzarote
In Arrecife, the approximate times will be:
6:56 pm: the eclipse begins.
7:52 pm: maximum eclipse.
8:43 pm: the eclipse ends.
As it will happen with the Sun already very low on the horizon, it is best to find a spot with a clear view to the west.
How to watch the eclipse safely
You should never look directly at the Sun without specific protection, not even during a partial eclipse. Experts recommend using only certified glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard and avoiding sunglasses, X-ray film, smoked glass or any home-made method, as none of these protect the retina. Telescopes, binoculars or cameras should not be used without suitable solar filters either.
La Santa, the main viewing point in Lanzarote
The island's main official spot for following the eclipse will be the Paseo Marítimo in La Santa, Tinajo. The Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, together with the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Gobierno de Canarias and other science museums, has chosen this location as one of the eight Atalayas Cósmicas (Cosmic Watchtowers) set up across the archipelago.
Between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm there will be science communicators, telescopes for observation, explanations of the different phases of the eclipse and free certified glasses handed out so that residents and visitors can enjoy the event with every safeguard.
Coverage by the Academia de Ciencias de Lanzarote
The Academia de Ciencias, Ingenierías y Humanidades de Lanzarote (ACIHL) will move its scientific activity to Arija, in the province of Burgos, where the total phase of the eclipse can be studied. There it will hold several days of science outreach, talks and guided observations of the eclipse and of the Perseid meteor shower, two phenomena that will coincide on practically the same day.
Although the in-person activities will take place in Burgos, the Academia has announced that all the events will be recorded and later published on its official YouTube channel, so the content can be followed from anywhere.
The best places to watch it
Beyond the arrangements in La Santa, Lanzarote offers many places with excellent conditions for following the eclipse. Any spot with a clear western horizon will do, although coastal areas such as La Santa, Famara, El Golfo, Los Hervideros, Arrieta or the natural viewpoints along the western coastline offer particularly good visibility.
The eclipse will arrive just a few hours before the peak of the Perseids, popularly known as the Lágrimas de San Lorenzo (Tears of St Lawrence), making 12 August one of the most appealing days of the year for astronomy enthusiasts. First comes the eclipse at sunset and then, later in the night, conditions will be favourable for watching one of the most popular meteor showers in the astronomical calendar.
Recommendations for watching the eclipse safely
Use only certified eclipse glasses, with EN ISO 12312-2:2015 certification and CE marking.
Never look at the Sun without proper protection, as it can cause irreversible damage to the retina.
Do not use home-made or uncertified methods, such as X-ray film, ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, CDs, plastics, welding masks or non-certified filters for binoculars and telescopes.
Even with certified glasses, do not keep your eyes fixed on the Sun for more than a minute at a time. It is advisable to alternate viewing with breaks.
Check that your glasses are in perfect condition before using them. If they are scratched, bent or damaged in any way, they should be thrown away.
Keep your glasses on throughout the observation. In Lanzarote the eclipse will be partial, so there will be no safe moment to remove your eye protection.
Do not use binoculars, telescopes, cameras or any other optical instrument to look at the Sun without solar filters specifically designed for that purpose.
It is recommended that minors do not look directly at the eclipse, even with certified glasses, because of the greater risk of retinal damage.
Anyone without certified glasses is advised to go to the official viewing points set up in La Santa and Caleta de Sebo, where certified glasses will be handed out and specialist staff will be on hand to guide the public.