The municipality of Vimioso has prepared scientific and recreational activities, with the distribution of protective glasses, for August 12 and 13, aimed at observers of the total solar eclipse, a local government source said today.
In statements to the Lusa agency, the vice-president of the Vimioso town hall, Cristina Miguel, said that in this municipality the Moon will cover 99.4% of the Sun’s light, being the meeting point for enthusiasts of these phenomena at the Iberian Park of Nature and Adventure (PINTA), where protective glasses will be distributed and practical lessons on observing the eclipse will be held.
According to the mayor of this Bragança district municipality, the programme includes preparation for observing the eclipse and the night sky, accompanied by astronomy and nature workshops, aimed at a better understanding and safety during the observation of the phenomenon.
“We will begin this set of activities early on the morning of August 12, where we will have an introduction to observing the eclipse, through interactive experiments inside the astronomy observatory at PINTA so that people do not reach the hour of the eclipse without information and safety to observe it,” stressed Cristina Miguel.
According to Cristina Miguel, on the same day there will also be a workshop for constructing solar protectors, as a way to introduce safety measures for observing the total solar eclipse.
“The solar protectors for indirect observation of the eclipse will be made with everyday materials, making it a safer option for children. In other words, in addition to the distribution of glasses for observing the phenomenon, we have here the construction of other protectors for solar viewing,” she indicated.
The municipality had scheduled the eclipse observation for the Pedreira area, but, due to the possible fire risk, the observation will be carried out at the Atalaia de Vimioso.
“Here there will be a team of technicians who will help people adhere to observation rules, so there are no possible visual injuries without proper protection,” she stressed.
After this event, which is also expected to attract Spanish neighbors and other people from various parts of the country, there will be a session dedicated to stargazing at PINTA.
The solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are aligned, and the Moon totally or partially covers the solar disk for a few moments.
Only in the villages of Rio de Onor and Guadramil, in the Bragança municipality, can it be seen in its entirety, that is, the Moon will cover 100% of the Sun. Still, it can be observed partially across the country and its islands.
“Being [visible at] 99%, 99.9% or 98% is almost the same. There is a small difference when it becomes night, which is only at one point, but there are some contingencies regarding that matter; you may see stars during the day, since it becomes night, it is very short, 26 seconds, and eventually you will see the solar corona,” recently stressed in Bragança the national commissioner for the 2026 solar eclipse, Pedro Machado.
In addition to darkness, other events are also expected, such as shadows, in the shape of the Sun, and wind. “The wind of the eclipse will be seen across the entire country, the projection beneath the umbra of the solar disk, as the eclipse progresses, will be seen across the country, even in the Azores and Madeira,” added the astrophysicist.
In Portugal, the total eclipse will not occur again for more than 100 years. However, next year this rare phenomenon can be observed in southern Spain and in Tunisia. In Portugal, the last total eclipse occurred in 1912.
