Partial solar eclipse visible from Catalonia on Saturday

Barcelona will get to enjoy a partial solar eclipse on Saturday midday. The event is scheduled to start at 11:02 am and will finish at 12:36 pm, according to Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN). 

A partial solar eclipse is when the moon is between the sun and the Earth, meaning that people will not be able to see a part of the sun for a short time. 

On this occasion, it will be a very subtle covering, with the most covered part at 11:48: am, according to IGN in Barcelona. At that time, the maximum magnitude will be 24%. Meanwhile, Lleida's maximum magnitude at 11:47 will be 27%, Tarragona's 25%, and Girona's 24%.

The magnitude is the fraction of the solar diameter hidden by the moon.

The eclipse will be visible from most of Europe and several parts of America, Africa, Russia, and Greenland.

Catalonia will enjoy two partial solar eclipses on August 12, 2026, and August 2, 2027. Although several parts of Spain will enjoy a total solar eclipses on those days.

Spain's IGN recommends never being observed directly with the naked eye or sunglasses. To observe such meteorological phenomena, authorities suggest acquiring glasses that allow one to follow the event without any risk. These can be bought online or at any of the IGN stores across the territory.

Montsec Astronomical Park

Catalonia's western Montsec Astronomical Park will organize several activities to be able to watch the first partial solar eclipse of the year. The eclipse will be visible between 10:59 am and 12:38 pm from Àger, where the park is located. The eclipse will be of 26.9%, and light will be reduced around a 16%.

Those visiting the astronomical park will use a telescope to observe the eclipse. There will also be experts on site to give information to those interested in learning more about the astronomical event and the park itself. Tickets are available on the parcastronomic.cat website.

Managers of the park, Catalonia's rail company FGC, will also set up another area to follow the eclipse. It will be at the Vall de Núria area, where authorities will hand out specialized glasses to observe the eclipse.