Around 60 residents in Tortosa, Terres de l'Ebre, participated in an outdoor workshop on Wednesday to practise observing the total solar eclipse scheduled for 12 August. The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) organised the session, taking advantage of the sun's current position, which mirrors its alignment during the eclipse.
Urbano Lorenzo, a professor of Behavioural Science Methodology, led the workshop. He explained the astronomical phenomenon and provided guidance on safe and comfortable viewing methods for the summer event. Professor Lorenzo advised planning viewing locations in advance, choosing spots close to home to avoid mobility issues, and correctly using protective glasses.
At 8.24pm on 12 August, the moon will pass in front of the sun. The light will change, colours will appear 'strange', temperatures will drop, and it will suddenly become dark, causing animals to react as if it were night, according to Professor Lorenzo. Moments before the total eclipse, Baily's Beads, which are flickering points of light, will appear.
Safe Viewing Techniques Explained
All these stages must be observed with approved protective glasses. Viewings should not last longer than two minutes. Only during the moment of total eclipse can observers look directly at the sun to see the solar corona that will form.
The workshop, held on the terrace of the URV's Ebro Campus in Tortosa, used a specially adapted telescope to project the sun onto a screen, allowing risk-free observation. Attendees also looked through the telescope, but Professor Lorenzo warned against using unapproved home telescopes.
In the Terres de l'Ebre, the total solar eclipse is expected to last for one and a half minutes, making it the region with the longest viewing time. Professor Lorenzo offered several safety tips for observing the eclipse.
He recommended selecting accessible locations, avoiding crowds, and bringing food and water. He also suggested extending stays to ease return journeys and to enjoy observing the night sky, as the 'tears of Sant Llorenç' meteor shower occurs around the same time.
High Demand for Eclipse Workshops
Xavier Farré, director of the URV's Terres de l'Ebre Campus, noted the significant public interest in the summer eclipse. He pointed to the high demand for Wednesday's activity in Tortosa as proof.
"The 60 tickets, which practically never happens with any other activity, were completely sold out on the first day, and we had a waiting list," Farré explained. He affirmed the university's commitment to offering these workshops, including in municipalities reached by the Campus Extens programme, to make the total eclipse experience "much better and more enriching."
The URV plans to continue organising activities and will set up several observation sites. The university has also created its own approved protective glasses for the event.
