August 12, 2026 · Spain
León: 2026 solar eclipse
ESA science day in the city — ~1m 44s of totality at 20:29, free public programme at the Palacio de Congresos.
Eclipse type
Total
Central phase
1m 44s
Maximum (local)
20:29 GMT+2
Coordinates
42.5987°N, 5.5671°W
Local circumstances
León hosts the European Space Agency's free public eclipse programme with the City of León and the University of León at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones — daytime workshops, evening stage talks, and guided viewing (glasses while stocks last). The city sits near the centerline for about 1 minute 44 seconds of totality at 20:29 with the sun ~8–9° up over inland Castilla y León, so clear western horizons and August meseta weather are the practical edges.
Viewing safety
Use ISO 12312-2 certified solar viewers for every partial phase. Only during totality (when the Moon fully covers the Sun) is it safe to look without a filter, and only if you are inside the path.
Eclipse safety & standardsNearby path locations
A Coruña
Spain's Atlantic landfall — 1m 15s of totality at 20:28 with the sun ~12° up, the highest on the Spanish track.
Palencia
Best overall on mainland Spain — 1m 42s over the flat Tierra de Campos plains, sun ~9° high.
Burgos
Centerline drama — 1m 44s of totality at 20:29 over the Castilian meseta, with AVE access from Madrid.
Somosierra
Best pin in Madrid — Dehesa de Majadrades, ~1m 29s of totality an hour north of the capital.
Zaragoza
Best clear-sky odds on mainland Spain — 1m 24s of totality at 20:29, sun low over the Ebro valley.
Palma
Mediterranean sunset climax — 1m 36s of totality with the sun only ~2° above the sea.
Ibiza
Final landfall — ~1m 5s of totality with the sun just 3° up, turning the Mediterranean sky to impossible dusk at 8:30 PM.
Certified eclipse glasses for this path
ISO 12312-2 solar viewers for families, schools, and trip groups. Inspect filters before eclipse day.