Experts Advise Strategic Planning for Canary Islands Solar Eclipse Viewing
The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands advises observers to use digital simulation tools to select optimal vantage points for the upcoming partial solar eclipse on August 12, as local terrain may obstruct views.
If you’re planning to watch the solar eclipse on August 12, careful planning is essential. According to the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), choosing the right spot is critical. Because of the islands' rugged landscape, mountains and hills can easily block your view of the sun, making your choice of location the most important factor for a successful experience.
The eclipse will last nearly two hours, starting at 6:58 p.m. and ending at sunset at 8:45 p.m. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 7:53 p.m. At this time, the terrain will hide the view in certain areas, including the eastern slopes of La Palma and El Hierro, as well as parts of central and eastern Tenerife. While the eclipse will be total on the Spanish mainland, it will be a partial eclipse in the Canary Islands, covering between 66% and 74% of the sun.
To help observers find the best vantage point, IAC astrophysicist Alfredo Rafael Rosenberg González recommends using free digital tools to simulate the event. He suggests using ShadeMap, an app that shows how shadows will fall across the landscape at specific times. This helps you avoid locations where hills or mountains might block your view of the sun.
You can also use Stellarium to see an accurate map of the sky from your exact location. When combined with PeakFinder, which maps out the horizon based on local topography, you can get a realistic preview of what you will see. Using these tools turns casual stargazing into a more precise experience, helping you make the most of this eclipse and other upcoming astronomical events, such as meteor showers and comets, later this year.