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r/solareclipse

I made an app that lets you explore every solar eclipse from 2000–2200, including the August 2026 path across Europe
▲ 7 r/solareclipse

I made an app that lets you explore every solar eclipse from 2000–2200, including the August 2026 path across Europe

With the August 2026 eclipse getting closer, I wanted to share something I've been building that might be useful here.

SolarWatch has a Solar Eclipse Catalog that covers every solar eclipse from 2000 to 2200. For each one you can:

  • See the umbra and penumbra sweep across the Earth in a real-time simulation
  • Explore obscuration bands by region
  • Get local contact timelines (C1–C4) and obscuration curves for any location

For the August 2026 eclipse specifically, you can pull up your exact location and see your local obscuration percentage, timing, and how the shadow tracks across Europe.

SolarWatch is free to download and most features including Solar Eclipse Catalog are free to use. I'm a solo dev and built this because I wanted a tool to help me plan my eclipse trip with my family. We're planning to be near Llanes during the eclipse, I hope the clouds will be in our favor. With the coming updates, I'm planning to add more detailed weather data to help planning where to be during the day of the eclipse.

👉 solarwatch.app (for iOS / Apple Watch)

Happy to answer questions and curious what tools others here are using to plan for August.

Lunar shadow over the Atlantic west of Ireland

Aug 2026 Eclipse overview showing a popup with local circumstances.

reddit.com
u/ekurutepe — 2 days ago
▲ 5 r/solareclipse

Is Renfe going to run extra trains to handle the flood of extra tourists?

Checking the train options between Madrid and Burgos and there's not a lot to line up with my flight.

I'm worried about getting stuck in customs and missing the train and having to take one much later in the day.

reddit.com
u/Horace-Harkness — 6 days ago
▲ 2 r/solareclipse

Historical sites near Alcaniz

Hi,
For the next eclipse I'm planning to go near Alcaniz/Utrillas/... but I was wondering if there were some historical places in the area. I know that Alcaniz is but I was looking for other spots (Alcaniz will probably be very crowded). My idea is, if the weather permits it, to take some middle-age-like pictures in the spirit of the Ladyhawke movie. I don't mind hiking a little bit so if you know any spots don't hesitate to share :)

reddit.com
u/petitbreton92 — 6 days ago
▲ 12 r/solareclipse

Where to see the eclipse from Madrid?

Hey everyone. Me and my friends are traveling through Italy and Spain in August 2026, and we’ll be in Madrid from Aug 11-13 specifically for the eclipse. We don’t necessarily want to drive all the way to the centerline, honestly even ~40-60 seconds of totality would be amazing for us, but we do want a really good viewing experience with an open sunset horizon and hopefully less chaos/crowds.

Right now we’re looking at areas northeast/east of Madrid around Guadalajara / Cabanillas del Campo / Torrejón del Rey, but we’re not familiar with the region at all. Does anyone have recommendations for:

- good spots with open western views that aren't too far from Madrid (we want to visit madrid before going to see the eclipse),

- realistic traffic expectations that evening,

- whether booking a train ticket or booking a taxi would be the best option,

- and what time we should realistically leave Madrid that day?

We’re totally okay with staying out late after the eclipse if needed. Any tips from people familiar with eclipse chasing or the Madrid area would be super appreciated 😄

I attached an image showing roughly how far from the edge of the totality path we’d ideally like to be: close enough to experience some totality, but without needing to travel too far from Madrid.

Thanks!

u/Beginning-Spite-2516 — 6 days ago
▲ 7 r/solareclipse

Do your eclipse glasses also have these lines on the front when you shine a light at them from the side?

I think this is normal but would a few of you check if yours also have it, please?

u/astromaestro12 — 8 days ago
▲ 54 r/solareclipse

UPDATE from a León local about the Sun height during the August 12 eclipse

Hi again! I’m the same person who made the “Tips if you are coming to León” post a while ago.

One of the biggest concerns people seem to have about this eclipse is how low the Sun will be during totality, so I wanted to share something that may reassure you a bit.

On April 30th, at 19:30h, my partner and I went out to several viewing areas around León because the Sun was at almost the exact same position and height it will have during the eclipse on August 12.

Honestly, the Sun is higher than we expected.

As long as you are somewhere open with a clear west/northwest view, visibility is actually very good. The eclipse does NOT disappear into the horizon during totality.

The important part is simply avoiding local obstacles:

trees

buildings

hills/mountains directly in front of you

But from open countryside, fields, viewpoints or wide open areas, the view should be perfectly fine during the entire eclipse.

So if you were worried that the Sun would be “touching the horizon” the whole time — it really isn’t :)

reddit.com
u/OnigiriMarS — 10 days ago
▲ 12 r/solareclipse+1 crossposts

Are these vertical streaks on the front side of eclipse glasses normal?

The first 2 pics are with a flashlight shining at them from the side, 3rd and 4th are in normal lighting, and 5th is the back side which has no lines. All 5 pairs look like this.

They are bresser glasses manufactured by american paper optics bought on astroshop, so this is as legit as it gets. Could some of you with legit glasses check if you also have these lines?

u/astromaestro12 — 9 days ago
▲ 7 r/solareclipse

Viewing locations around Palma for 2026 eclipse

I've found several eclipse simulators online but I find them confusing and misleading. I'm looking at viewing locations in Palma. Many of the simulators say you can "see" the eclipse from one particular location, but what I think they mean is that you will be able to see some of the eclipse, but perhaps not all of it. Even though Palma is well within the area for totality for the 2026 eclipse, from what I can tell, it seems to me that unless you're on a spot where you can actually see the sun setting on the horizon, you will not see totality. Sure, it will get dark, but you won't really be able to see the moon covering the sun. Am I incorrect?

reddit.com
u/publicpersona31 — 9 days ago
▲ 55 r/solareclipse+1 crossposts

Solar eclipse reproducible

Around 2017 I had the idea of ​​whether it was possible to use the sphere of the Berlin TV tower for a solar eclipse. Calculated a little with the angles and it should work – I think. Finding the right location turned out to be more difficult than I imagined. Various attempts later and with the experience correction from the previous day, I still managed it in April 2020.

u/Bernd_629 — 10 days ago
▲ 7 r/solareclipse

Best places to watch the eclipse around León / Palencia

Hi! I'm portuguese so tips from someone who lives in Spain or knows well that geography are welcome.

I'm looking for options of good spots, high and with no obstacles, pointed to west (where the sun is).

Where are most people going?

Thank you!

reddit.com
u/mikhail_the_great — 9 days ago