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These are the municipalities in Madrid where the total eclipse will be seen best
The Community of Madrid will be one of the best places in Spain to observe the total solar eclipse on 12 August. More than 40 municipalities will fall within the path of totality, although it will be in the Sierra Norte where darkness will last longest and the spectacle will reach its greatest intensity.
Somosierra will be the municipality in the Madrid region with the longest totality, with approximately 1 minute and 29 seconds of darkness. Very nearby are Prádena del Rincón, Braojos, Piñuécar-Gandullas, Berzosa del Lozoya, La Serna del Monte and Gascones, where the eclipse will last for more than a minute.
The band of totality will also reach other places such as Buitrago del Lozoya, Rascafría, Lozoya, El Molar, Colmenar Viejo, Tres Cantos, San Agustín del Guadalix and San Sebastián de los Reyes. In these municipalities, the Sun will disappear completely for a few seconds or more than a minute, depending on the exact location.
Madrid city, on the other hand, will lie outside that band. From the city, the eclipse will be partial, although highly spectacular, with more than 99% of the solar disc covered shortly before sunset. Other municipalities such as El Escorial, Brunete and Chinchón will not experience totality either.
For the occasion, the Comunidad de Madrid has prepared dozens of official observation points and is working with the emergency services to manage the large influx of visitors expected in the Sierra Norte. The authorities stress the importance of planning journeys in advance and respecting safety measures, especially because of the high risk of forest fires.
The eclipse will begin at around 19:35 and reach its climax at around 20:30, when the Sun will already be very low on the horizon. To observe it safely, it will be essential to use approved glasses with ISO 12312-2 certification or specific solar filters, since looking directly at the Sun without protection can cause irreversible eye damage.
It will be the first time in more than a century that a total solar eclipse has been visible from much of the Iberian Peninsula. The combination of such an exceptional astronomical phenomenon and its proximity to sunset will make 12 August a historic date for astronomy enthusiasts and for thousands of people who simply want to experience something that is difficult to repeat.