As dusk envelops the verdant landscapes of Spain, a rare celestial dance is poised to unfold in the heavens. In 2026 and 2027, the Iberian nation is preparing to be crowned the global epicenter of total solar eclipses, events that promise to draw the gaze of astronomy enthusiasts and eclipse chasers from around the globe.
On August 12, 2026, and August 2, 2027, the moon’s shadow will traverse Spain, offering a spectacle where the sun, moon, and Earth align perfectly to create totality—a brief period where the sun is entirely obscured, turning day into night.
This phenomenon has not graced the European skies since the eclipse that was visible over North America in April last year, where fans of such events traveled thousands of miles for a chance to witness the sublime darkness.
Frank A. Rodriguez, an astronomy professor, has extolled the virtues of his homeland as an “astronomy paradise” ahead of International Astronomy Day. He remarks on the islands’ excellent conditions for stargazing, “We have very low light pollution and we have the southern hemisphere sky. Because we are at a lower latitude compared to continental Europe, we can observe many constellations.”
The first of the two total solar eclipses will cast its shadow beyond the Spanish borders, with visibility across Greenland, Iceland, Russia, and a segment of Portugal, while a partial eclipse can be seen in much broader regions including Europe, Africa, North America, and various oceans.
Coinciding with this spectacular event, the Northern Lights—an equally magnificent natural light show—have already surprised onlookers in the Canary Islands, hinting at the astronomical marvels Spain is set to host.
As the moon’s shadow, approximately 182 miles wide, rushes across the planet in roughly 96 minutes, various countries will participate in this rare occurrence.
Spain, however, holds a unique position due to the timing of the eclipse. Being low on the horizon at sunset, it offers a potentially mesmerizing horizon view, but it also comes with the risk of being obscured by geographical features or cloud cover.
Oscar Martín Mesonero, an astronomer at Startrails in Salamanca, shares his expert advice for witnessing the event in Spain, cautioning that “Some parts of Spain have high mountains that can prevent us from seeing the sun during totality, so it is very important to select the location carefully.” He warns of potential traffic issues and the need for careful planning, particularly on the east coast, where the sun will be merely 4 degrees above the horizon.
The prime locations in Spain for eclipse viewing are Gijón, A Coruña, Palencia, Burgos, Segovia, and Sigüenza, with varying durations of totality and sun heights. Meanwhile, for those seeking a coastal spectacle, Mallorca offers a dramatic scene of an eclipsed sun over the sea but requires meticulous site selection.
Weather, as always, will play a critical role in the visibility of the eclipse. Graham Jones, an astrophysicist and science communicator, weighs the dilemma of location choice, balancing the altitude and cloud cover between places like Iceland and Spain. For those fixated on the clearest skies, the regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León are the favorites.
While some eclipse chasers might gamble on more cloud-prone locations for the unique experience, Victoria Sahami, owner of Sirius Travel, puts the odds into perspective: “For people who have seen a lot of eclipses but never seen Iceland, a 40% chance of seeing it is a reasonable risk.”
Moreover, a partial solar eclipse will grace different parts of the Northern Hemisphere, with varying degrees of the sun’s disk covered from locales like New York City to Barcelona.
With Spain positioned as the focal point for these upcoming total solar eclipses, the stage is set for an extraordinary confluence of cosmic events, where shadows fall and the skies unveil their mysteries.
Here, beneath the celestial ballet, onlookers will find themselves momentarily at the crossroads of the sun’s brilliance and the moon’s silent passage—a truly cosmic encounter.
Relevant articles:
– Spain set to become total solar eclipse ‘world capital’, says astronomer, DD NEWS
– Eclipse 2026: The next total solar eclipse will be Europe’s 1st in 27 years, Space.com