Total solar eclipse

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On August 12th, it will be an extremely important day for all astronomy lovers! In this post, I’ll explain all about it.

an illustration of sun and moon together

What’s a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon perfectly blocks the Sun, briefly turning day into twilight and revealing the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona). It’s a rare and stunning celestial event and it will happen on August 12th!

Fun Fact: The next visible solar eclipse will occur on May 11, 2078 (total solar eclipse in Madeira). And the next one on 25 May, 2142!

ATTENTION: Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. Even a tiny sliver of sunlight can cause permanent eye damage.

Time frame of a total solar eclipse

  • 90 mins before: Partial eclipse starts.
  • 60 mins before: Sun is about 25% covered.
  • 50 mins before: Noticeable temperature drop begins.
  • 30 mins before: Sky visibly darkens.
  • 20 mins before: Observe changes in temp, humidity & wind.
  • 15 mins before: Light dims, colors shift.
  • 10 mins before: Wildlife and nature react to darkening light.
  • 1 min before: Subtle shadow bands appear.
  • 20 seconds before: Corona becomes visible!
  • 15 seconds before: A dark shadow rapidly approaches.
  • 10 seconds before: The “diamond ring” effect appears.
  • 5 seconds before: “Baily’s Beads” shine through the moon’s edge.
  • Totality Begins: Complete darkness!

Time frame of the event in Portugal

  • Aveiro    
    Partial Solar Eclipse 97,5%   
    start: 18:35 end: 20:26
  • Azores    
    Partial Solar Eclipse    
    start: 17:30  end: 19:35
  • Beja   
    Partial Solar Eclipse    
    start: 18:40 end: 20:30
  • Braga   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:33 end: 20:25
  • Bragança    
    Total Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:33 end: 20:24 
  • Castelo Branco    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:36 end: 20:27
  • Coimbra
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:36 end: 20:27
  • Faro   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:41 end: 20:31
  • Guarda    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:35 end: 20:26 
  • Leiria    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
     start: 18:36 end: 20:28
  • Lisbon   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:38 end: 20:29
  • Madeira   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:48 end: 20:42
  • Portalegre    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:37 end: 20:28
  • Porto    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:34 end: 20:25
  • Santarém   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:37 end: 20:29
  • Setúbal    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:39 end: 20:30
  • Viana do Castelo   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:33 end: 20:24
  • Vila Real   
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:33 end: 20:25
  • Viseu    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:33 end: 20:25
  • Évora    
    Partial Solar Eclipse
    start: 18:38 end: 20:29
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