Hundreds of residents of L'Eliana witnessed a total solar eclipse on Wednesday that left the municipality in darkness for just over a minute. The phenomenon will not be repeated until 2422.
The Valencian town of L'Eliana experienced one of the most anticipated astronomical phenomena in recent decades on Wednesday, August 12. Hundreds of residents took to the streets, terraces, and open spaces to see how the Moon completely obscured the solar disc, achieving 100% obscuration in the municipality.
The eclipse began at 19:38, and as the afternoon progressed, the Moon gradually covered the Sun. The totality phase started at 20:32, with the maximum around 20:33, when the celestial body was only 4.5 degrees above the horizon.
For approximately 1 minute and 3 seconds, the sky darkened completely, providing an exceptional view for those who could follow the phenomenon from L'Eliana. The location of the municipality within the totality zone allowed for a particularly unique event.
Many attendees observed the eclipse with the certified glasses distributed during the conference "When the Sun Goes Out," organized last June. That talk served to explain the characteristics of the phenomenon and the necessary measures to observe it safely.
The municipality had not experienced a total solar eclipse since 1901 and will not register another until 2422, making the afternoon of August 12, 2026, a historic day for L'Eliana. The next event, in nearly four centuries, will once again test the patience of astronomy enthusiasts.
For those who missed it, there will not be a similar opportunity in the area for decades. Experts remind that eclipse observation should always be done with certified eye protection, never with the naked eye or conventional sunglasses.
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