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