Around 60 residents in Tortosa, Terres de l'Ebre, participated in an outdoor workshop on Wednesday to practise observing the total solar eclipse expected on 12 August. The Rovira i Virgili University (URV) organised the session, using the current position of the sun to simulate the August event.
Urbano Lorenzo, a professor of Behavioural Science Methodology, explained the astronomical phenomenon and demonstrated safe and comfortable viewing techniques for the summer eclipse. He advised participants to plan their viewing locations in advance, choose spots close to home to avoid mobility issues, and understand how to use protective glasses properly, according to the URV.
Preparing for the Eclipse
On 12 August, at 20:24, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun. This will cause the light to change tone, colours to appear "strange", the temperature to drop, and it will suddenly become dark, leading animals to behave as if it were night. Just before the total solar eclipse, Baily's beads, which are flickering points of light, will appear. Observers must wear approved protective glasses throughout this process, limiting viewing times to no more than two minutes. Only during the moment of total eclipse will it be safe to look directly at the Sun to see the solar corona.
The workshop, held on the terrace of the URV's Terres de l'Ebre Campus in Tortosa, used a specially adapted telescope to project the Sun onto a screen, allowing for risk-free observation. Attendees also looked through the telescope, but Lorenzo reminded them that not all home telescopes are suitable for direct solar viewing.
Safety and Planning Advice
The total solar eclipse is expected to last for one and a half minutes in the Terres de l'Ebre, making it the region with the longest viewing time. Professor Lorenzo offered several safety tips for observing the eclipse. He recommended planning the viewing location well in advance and choosing a nearby spot to minimise potential mobility problems, as many observers from outside the region are expected to travel there.
Lorenzo stressed the importance of selecting accessible locations, avoiding crowds, and bringing food and water. He also suggested extending stays to ease return journeys and to take advantage of observing the night sky, as the Perseid meteor shower, known as the "tears of Saint Lawrence", occurs around the same dates.
High Demand for Workshops
Xavier Farré, director of the URV's Terres de l'Ebre Campus, noted the significant public interest in the upcoming solar eclipse. He said the Tortosa workshop saw high demand, with all 60 tickets selling out on the first day and a waiting list quickly forming. Farré affirmed the university's commitment to offering these workshops, including through its Campus Extens programme in various municipalities, to ensure a "much better and more enriching experience" on the day of the total eclipse. The URV plans to continue organising activities, establish official viewing sites, and has created its own approved protective glasses.
