Espinho, Portugal, Aug. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - Astronomers and other staff from Portugal's Espinho Planetarium will be organising a free event next Wednesday at Praia da Baía [Baia beach] to help the public observe and understand the solar eclipse, which is expected to obscure 98% of the sun at that location.

According to the team at the Espinho Multimedia Centre, which houses one of the four planetariums in Portugal, the event will depend on weather conditions, but, if the sky is clear, the phenomenon – scheduled to take place between around 6.35 pm and 8.25 pm – will reach one of the highest levels of coverage predicted for the country in this district in the region of Aveiro and the Porto Metropolitan Area.

«In mainland Portugal, the maximum occlusion of the sun will vary between 92% and 100%, whilst in the Azores and Madeira archipelagos it will be between 72% and 79%. In Espinho, the occlusion will be 98%,» the Planetarium anticipates.

To observe the moon passing in front of the sun, and «weather permitting», the planetarium team will be on the city's waterfront – also known as Avenida Maia Brenha – next to the main steps at Praia da Baía throughout the afternoon, to «provide context for the phenomenon and welcome anyone wishing to experience this spectacle in complete safety».

The same experts warn, however, that one should never look directly at the sun, even with makeshift filters, due to the risk of eye damage; the public should therefore use specialist eclipse glasses – available in pharmacies, for example – or use alternative methods.

«Sunglasses are not suitable,» the Planetarium's astronomers emphasise.

These same experts emphasise that, in the absence of specialised lenses, it is preferable to observe the phenomenon using methods such as a mirror, which, when pointed at the eclipse and reflecting it onto a smooth wall, will project the movements of the sun and the moon onto that surface.

AYC/AYLS // AYLS

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