Community of Madrid
Shadows and contrasts at twilight
The Community of Madrid will be a key destination on the eclipse map, offering an exceptional opportunity for science outreach due to the large concentration of people who will be able to watch the eclipse from their hometown. The region is in a unique astronomical situation, with notable differences between its geographical areas.
The eclipse of 12 August 2026 will divide the region in two. While the north of the region (the axis of Guadarrama) falls under the path of totality, the capital and the vast majority of the metropolitan area and the south of the community will witness a extremely deep partial eclipse. In the city of Madrid, the Moon will cover more than 99% of the solar disk. Although absolute totality will not be reached, the phenomenon will be worth watching: the daylight will dim drastically minutes before sunset, causing a drop in temperatures and creating an unreal atmosphere of "false twilight" visible from parks and open areas of the cities.
In subsequent events, the Community of Madrid will enjoy the events with uniform visibility. On 2 August 2027, the region will dawn with a remarkable partial eclipse, where the sun will appear as a large waning crescent. Finally, on 26 January 2028, .the annular eclipse crossing the Iberian Peninsula will be visible in its entirety from the southern and eastern parts of the Community of Madrid, and as a partial eclipse at sunset in the rest of the region
Actividades
On the occasion of the eclipse of 12 August 2026, the following activities are proposed at the Madrid is Science Fair, which will be held from 19 to 21 March at La Nave (Madrid):
- The issue will be addressed experimentally at three educational centre stands, as well as with three presentations in the Ágora space.
- The Agrupación Astronómica Sur/Grupo Kepler will have a stand with a darkened room where visitors can interactively mirror the conditions of an eclipse in order to understand its dynamics.
- The Agrupación Astronómica de Madrid will place five solar telescopes outside La Nave to observe solar storms live.
- A total of 7,000-10,000 free glasses will be distributed with instructions for safe observation of the phenomenon.
- The opening ceremony, in the Auditorium of La Nave, with the presence of the President of the Community of Madrid, will include an interview with Sara García, CNIO [Spanish Cancer Research Centre] scientist and ESA astronaut, and a contemporary dance performance inspired by the eclipse.
Activities related to the eclipse and scientific dissemination of the phenomenon will take place in schools in the Community of Madrid (under preparation)
Instagram (@pueblosconvidacm) will be used to share the activities that some towns in Madrid are preparing in relation to the eclipse.
¿Dónde ver el eclipse?
Summary of visibility
North of the region: Total eclipse.
City of Madrid, Metropolitan Area and South: Very deep (>99%) partial eclipse. The area will experience daylight dimming and an atypical sunset without reaching the total phase.
Partial eclipse.
Annular eclipse in the south and east of the region.