Canary Islands Prepare for Rare Partial Solar Eclipse and Perseid Meteor Shower

The Canary Islands are gearing up for a special day on August 12, as the archipelago prepares to witness a partial solar eclipse. This event is particularly exciting because it coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, offering a rare treat for stargazers.

Depending on your location in the islands, the moon will cover between 66% and 74% of the sun. In Tenerife, the coverage is expected to be around 70%. The eclipse will begin at 6:58 p.m., reach its maximum at 7:53 p.m., and end at sunset, around 8:45 p.m. Because the sun will be low on the horizon, it is important to find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view.

Experts and the National Geographic Institute (IGN) are stressing the importance of eye safety. Since this is not a total eclipse, you must use proper protection at all times. Only use solar eclipse glasses that meet the EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard and carry the CE mark. Never use improvised filters like X-rays, smoked glass, or film negatives, as they do not provide enough protection and can cause permanent eye damage.

Even with certified glasses, do not look at the sun for more than one minute at a time. Always put your glasses on before looking up and take them off only after looking away. If you plan to use telescopes or binoculars, you must attach a professional solar filter to the front of the lens; otherwise, the concentrated light can cause instant, severe eye injury. If you don’t have the right equipment, the safest way to watch is through indirect projection.

The excitement doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Once it gets dark, the focus will shift to the Perseids—often called the "Tears of Saint Lawrence." This meteor shower will provide a spectacular finale to a remarkable day of stargazing across the islands.