Where will we be able to see the eclipse from?
The AAE isn’t recommending any specific location, although the best views will be from the western side of the island, from Portinatx Lighthouse to Cala d’Hort. The key is to choose somewhere safe – avoiding cliff edges – with a clear view of the sea, because the eclipse will take place just three degrees above sea level. An elevated part of the landscape, or even a tree, could block the spectacle. My advice is to locate 286 degrees on your phone’s compass app and position yourself in line with the horizon.
And what about watching it from a boat?
That’s a mistake. In August, when the sea is at its warmest, there’s a strong chance of haze. The idea of setting sail to watch the sunset sounds wonderfully romantic. But for an eclipse – where the beauty lies in seeing the moon pass between the sun and Earth – it’s not the best place. I’m a sailor myself, and I won’t be watching it from a boat.
What does it mean to experience a phenomenon like this for someone dedicated to astronomy?
The last eclipse visible from Ibiza was in 1905. This is a completely extraordinary event in which countless variables align. Earth moves through space at 110,000km/h, and the moon at 3,500km/h. For one brief instant, they’ll align perfectly with the sun. It’s a cosmic event.
What about the mystique and superstition surrounding eclipses?
In the past, eclipses were often linked to dramatic or apocalyptic events. In fact, the eclipse of 1912, the last total eclipse visible from Spain, took place on April 17 – just two days after the sinking of the RMS Titanic. There was also a queen who died during childbirth during an eclipse after complications. These coincidences helped fuel superstitious beliefs that eclipses bring misfortune.
What do we know about the last eclipse seen from Ibiza in 1905?
At midday, everything suddenly went dark. Many people had no idea what was happening. Notes from the time tell of a teenage boy tending livestock who thought it was the end of the world. According to Ana Colomar, who spoke about that eclipse in a lecture, the chickens even went off to roost.
What are the safety recommendations, and at exactly what moment will it be safe to look at the sun without protection?
You need to wear certified eclipse glasses – glasses that allow you to see only the sun and the moon covering it. If you can see anything else, they’re not good enough. During the brief minute of totality, you’ll be able to see the sun completely covered, along with the solar corona. That’s the moment to carefully take your glasses off and then put them back on. You have to be alert, because suddenly the sun will reappear from behind the moon, emitting ultraviolet and infrared rays that can damage your eyes.
Is the island ready for the big day?
It’s Ibiza, it’s a sunset in August, and a lot of things come together that need to be managed. We’re working on it, with almost weekly meetings with the Balearic Islands’ Government. As for the recommendations, they’re mostly common sense – above all, avoiding dangerous locations.
