2026 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN SPAIN RESULTS
by Paul D. Maley, NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society
A dramatic solar eclipse sequence by Edwin Aguirre from Santoyo, Spain. It was taken with a Takahashi FC-60 refractor and a Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera (APS-C)
PHOTOS SHOWN BELOW WITHOUT ATTRIBUTION WERE TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR
Another great success as the JSCAS eclipse team flew to Spain against some challenging weather prospects. With 103 participants we split into two groups to cover us in case of cloud formation–that is clouds forming by local weather movements and clouds forming as a result of the drop in temperatures. Not only were we interested in seeing the eclipse but so were many, many ordinary Spaniards eager for a view.
We could have gone to Iceland but nearly all of the island was clouded out completely. In case you wonder when you CAN go to Iceland and see a total eclipse, you will have to wait 169 more years!
A wide view showing central eclipse with the conical lunar shadow symmetry near the horizon. Teri Belli photo from Hotel Landa.
At the Santoyo site Liz Malicki took this image during totality. Even though it is not a closeup, the impression of the human eye view was spectacular. Seeing other people’s phone screens can be a problem during an eclipse but I recommended that people spread out and this was never an issue for our team at either site from what I understand.
Based on prior weather monitoring chances to see the eclipse looked dodgy this year but as July unfolded a string of clear afternoons kept going and all of our tour members got a great view.
This graphic portends to show areas of cloud/dust/smoke (orange) against the eclipse path while the blue areas indicate clear sky. You can see how fortunate everyone in the path was including both of our sites. Credit: unable to locate source of this graphic as it appeared on the internet around August 18.
Had the eclipse occurred 2 days later our luck would have run out. The blue dot is the location of Burgos.
With 24 hours until the eclipse this was the Spanish meteorology forecast showing we should have clear sky in Burgos. Rain was predicted 48 hours later as shown in the previous image. Courtesy AEMET.
EUMETSAT image showing Spain in the center, Greenland at the top. The horizontal black area is the Moon’s shadow moving toward Spain. Satellite imagery reveals the Moon’s shadow gliding across the globe, dimming the land and ocean below. The black diagonal area on right is how the satellite processes the Earth’s shadow moving east to west as sunset is approaching Spain. Courtesy EUMETSAT.
Photo of the entire Ring of Fire Expeditions team at the Evolution Forum convention center. The Texas flag is partially covered in the center. There were so many of us that some shorter people are not clearly visible. Therefore it was impossible to identify everyone in the entire group. Juan Kratzmaier photo.
Paul D. Maley providing an eclipse briefing on August 11 Edwin Aguirre, Imelda Joson providing a briefing August 12
The front of the line to grab eclipse glasses in Burgos, Spain
Where is the end of the eclipse glasses line in Salamanca?
On August 12 my group remained at our Burgos, Spain hotel (Hotel Landa) while the other one under the direction of Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre headed southwest by bus to a small village called Santoyo. The Landa site did not have a flat horizon and we lost the Sun before 4th contact. But that was ok as the Sun was deep into the haze. Some power lines and wind turbines appeared on our horizon at a far distance; a dust layer in the atmosphere was about 6 degrees elevation while during totality the Sun was at 8.5 degrees above the west northwest horizon. In the preceding days dust and smoke from fires in the area had contributed to a yellowish background once photos of the eclipse began to appear online. This was not visible in satellite images but these particulates were present everywhere in the sky at low altitudes and had obviously settled into the region as we drove from Madrid and Barcelona toward our joint meeting eclipse viewing place in Burgos.
The Santoyo group did have a flat horizon and saw the entire set of contacts except the last 3 minutes before C4. The weather cooperated within most of the path in Spain and all of us were treated to a grand show as the New Moon passed in front of the Sun here in Spain. Locations for both sites are as follows:
Hotel Landa, Burgos: 42 deg 18m 40s N, 3 deg 42m 22s W, elevation 3037 ft. (coordinates of the southern most rear hotel site)—68 team members were located here. 1 minute 47 seconds of totality.
Santoyo, Palencia: 42 deg 13m 02s N, 4 deg 20m 44s W, elevation 2610 ft.—35 members of the team took the bus to this location. 1 minute 46 seconds of totality.
At the Hotel Landa observers were shooting from inside open windows from the top floor of the hotel as well as from two sites behind it; I refer to them as the north side and south side sites.
North side field eclipse watchers set up. Juan Kratzmeier photo.
South side field eclipse watchers set up. Here the observer can lean back with back support and leisurely watch the eclipse pass without interruption from adjacent observers. Juan Kratzmeier photo.
The Santoyo group. Joe Malnar photo.
A different view of the Santoyo group. Laying out all components that you might need is helpful especially if time is short. Richard and Chantale are left of center. Imelda Joson photo.
The sweeping vista of Santoyo. Imelda Joson photo.
Imelda Joson using the perfect type of tripod/camera combination that requires a minimum of adjustment. Because of the low Sun elevation (compared to a completely different scenario in 2027) this is the optimum position of both the photographer and photo gear for this eclipse. In August 2027 photographs will require a completely different approach! Edwin Aguirre photo.
ECLIPSE IMAGES
NOTE: There were a few eclipse images I received that were manipulated to show features that were not apparent to the naked eye or comparable in other photos. The are not included here. Also there were other eclipse images that duplicated those appearing here. In the interest of space they are also not included.
The eclipse flight of Iberia 1473 as photographed by Richard Nugent. The new Airbus 321XLR aircraft was specially chartered to fly along and through the eclipse path obtaining 2 minutes 7 seconds of totality. The flight number was chosen to honor the birth year of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. To see spectacular photos taken of the eclipse from this aircraft go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/starryearth/55493594700/in/album-72177720335338656
LeRoy Maxfield took this great shot of the large prominence at the 9:00 position from inside the Hotel Landa. It shows that the most important part of any photo is precision focus. On rare occasion prominences can eject material out to perhaps half a solar diameter from the Sun! 1000mm (Canon 100-500 w/2X Extender), Canon R6 Mk II, f/14, and 1/1250 sec. And ISO 800
An immense naked eye prominence was the most magnificent feature seen silhouetted during this short total eclipse. Everyone looking at it could hardly ignore it. Bright, pink and distinct it was the focal point of many images.
An important photo that shows that you do not need a giant 1000mm focal length lens to capture detail equivalent to the Maxfield photo above. Sandi Schnall’s image of the same prominence with a Nikon D3500, 260mm focal length lens, ISO400, f/6, 1/640 sec. The Sun’s diameter is about 864,000 miles so you can see how large this prominence has become. Had the focus been even slightly off the resolution between this and the previous image would not be comparable.
To illustrate how quickly Baily’s Beads change as the seconds tick by notice these two consecutive images below. The grand prominence shown above has been blocked a little by the motion of the Moon.
3rd contact image by Byron Braswell showing remnants of the two prominences seen as well as the beginning of the transformation of the Diamond Ring to a partial phase. Nikon z9 camera, lens is 28 to 400 mm zoom, focal length 400 mm, exposure time 1/200th of a second at f8, ISO 640.
Baily’s Beads sequence showing the transition to the flattened diamond ring at the end of totality. Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre images with Takahashi FC-60 refractor and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (APS-C) DSLR camera.
Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre individual Baily’s Bead definition with Takahashi FC-60 refractor and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (APS-C) DSLR camera.
Here are Baily’s Beads at the start of totality as captured by David Agard. The great prominence is clear in both and the Beads being due to irregularities at the edge of the Moon do change rapidly as the Moon covers the Sun. In the two images below the pinkish chromosphere. The chromosphere is the middle layer of the Sun’s atmosphere located roughly 250 to 1,300 miles above the visible surface (photosphere). It glows with a bright red color during total solar eclipses due to excited hydrogen gas emitting light in the H-alpha spectral line.
As totality was beginning Baily’s Beads had these two quick views separated again by seconds. The pink arc is the chromosphere. David Agard photos with a Nikon Z7ii, 560mm focal length (400mm zoom + 1.4x teleconverter), f8, 1/1600 sec, ISO 800
Baily’s Beads #1 by LeRoy Maxfield taken with a Canon EOS, f/14, 1/8000 sec, ISO800 Baily’s Beads #2 with the same camera data. Exposure 1/3200 sec. 1000mm focal length lens. Before 3rd contact.
Original corona photo by Bob Hulse on the left. OM Systems OM 1-2 body w 50-200 f2.8 lens, 0 EV, f2.8, 1/13, ISO 400, focal length 200mm. Compare to the corona image from Imelda Joson on the right. The spikes in the prediction match in general the overall actual shape though the photos would need further work to enhance the individual spikes below.
The Predictive Sciences model of how the outer corona should have looked during totality. Compare to Hulse photo above.
Enhanced image of the eclipsed Sun by Richard Nugent. Olympus DSLR, 300mm fl (doubled to 600mm), f 6.7, ISO 500, 1/8th sec exposure.
A slightly different view of the eclipse as seen from inside the Hotel Landa Room 104 as taken with a Nikon z9 28 x400 camera.
Burgos: At second contact you can clearly see the demarkation between the Moon’s shadow and no shadow. From the south field site we could hear dogs barking right after 2nd contact began for a number of seconds, then ceased. Photo by Lisa McConlogue.
Things happen fast as totality is about to end. Above are the Baily’s Beads about to transform into the 3rd contact flat diamond ring in the next image. Sandi Schnall photo.
At 3rd contact a ‘flat’ diamond ring appeared indicating a rather smooth limb. This was confirmed by several photographers. LeRoy Maxfield photo.
The diamond ring appears at 3rd contact with the reverse demarkation line showing the Moon’s shadow retreating toward Majorca (southwest) and no shadow to the northeast of the Sun. The photo is wide angle and a second or two later you would not have seen the diamond on one side and totality on the other. Notice the yellowish color due to dust while the haze line begins about 2 degrees below the Sun. Lisa McConlogue photo.
The sky as the Moon’s shadow continues to retreat showing the western landscape at the south side location and the demarkation between shadow and no shadow. John Bevington photo.
Lino Belli’s totality image above from the north field site shows the haze line thick at 5-6 degrees above the horizon at central eclipse.
At the Santoyo site where the group led by Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre were located Richard Germain recorded the eclipse on video in addition to the stills seen here. You can see his experience at the following link in English, French and Spanish on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wn-jaw0yhY
See Venus about 5 minutes 45 seconds into the video.
Equipment Richard used for the above images: Askar 80PHQ, Canon 6D, SkyWatcher Wave100i mount, Backyard EOS. For the video he used a GoPro Black 7.
A composite set of images by Tom Angle using an Iphone 16 Pro.
Anne Adkins took this shot of the partial phase on the way toward totality including sunspots. Taken with a SEESTAR S30 at the Santoyo site.
Mid totality. Anne Adkins SEESTAR S30 Diamond Ring by Anne Adkins, Sony alpha 6700, 500mm on a tripod.
Astronomy is all about education. Here Chris Malicki shows Mason O’Neil (the only child on our tour group) the Sun in his scope. Liz Malicki photo.
Chris Malicki provided this image showing the white sheet laid out to try to catch shadow bands prior to and after totality. Liz Malicki spotted them 1 minute 23 seconds prior to 2nd contact. Chris reports 4 people witnessed it. Bands were only seen for 15 seconds (due to wanting to observe other eclipse features) and were faint compared to others they had seen during previous eclipses.
A good way to observe a low elevation eclipse.
Scot (Greg) Irwin at Santoyo recognized that somebody had put a white sheet up against some stacked rocks in an attempt to create the sun crescents. They were interlacing their fingers; also poking holes in an envelope. Scot noticed that Collette guide Elena was wearing a shawl that he thought might simulate the desired result. He was able to get Elena to come over and stretch part of it out and the result is what you see above—brilliant! Iphone 15 photo.
Byron Lee recorded a few measurements of the temperature drop at Santoyo. Units are in local time.
A wide angle shot from Santoyo. Notice there is smoke/cloud below the Sun that was not present at this thickness level in Burgos. Edwin Aguirre photo.
A tiny ghost partial eclipse image before totality is seen just below center. The Sun is overexposed but the precise phase of the eclipse is clear from looking at this ghost. Ghosts might ordinarily by scary but this one is beneficial! Imelda Joson photo.
Edwin Aguirre taking advantage of a larger telescope mount by adding his Iphone to an adapter at the top. This enables maximizing use of the short totality time by not having to add precious seconds moving from one mount to another. Lessons learned for those thinking about using more than one device for the August 2027 TSE. Photo by Imelda Joson.
At Santoyo Bernie Dabrowski-Zelten and ______watching and photographing the eclipse. Edwin Aguirre photo.
Most people moved apart from others in order to have a more personalized experience. Given the very large fields that were available to us behind Hotel Landa this was quite easy to do. Here Richard Nugent and Jean Mendez observe on the flat ground south side of the Landa Hotel rear grounds.
The Sun getting deeper into the haze line after totality.
The Sun gets within 3 minutes of setting. Revathy Padmanabhan photo.
The Sun starting to disappear below our horizon at the south field site. Lino Belli photo. You can see the reddish effect that the dust has had since totality.
Right down to the Santoyo horizon. Edwin Aguirre photo.
Sun crescents created by poplar trees near the south hotel group location where I was located. Richard Nugent placed a wrap wround the tree with a dark background in the above photo you can see at least 4 clearly defined crescents.
Sun crescents by Joy Albi projected onto the ground spelling “BURGOS”
Poplar trees (tallest ones) responsible for Sun crescents stand behind the south field Hotel Landa eclipse group spread out behind the hotel.
Highway sign announcing the eclipse is coming!
Jeff Pohlman on the south side of the Landa Hotel field
Burgos: Paula Wegert reaction after totality ended!
Santoyo: Richard Germain, Chantale Dufour and Brian Murphy (behind) after the eclipse! Edwin Aguirre photo.
John and Dace Roll. Sharon Braswell photo.
George Fairey, Karen Lago-Fairey. Sharon Braswell photo.
Heather and Charlie Carver. Sharo Braswell photo.
RELATED PHOTOS
Paul D. Maley conducts a live interview on the Weather Channel with Jen Carfagno and Alex Wallace 3 hours before the start of the partial phases. This was part of an ongoing request from TWC to explain what was happening in Spain to their audience.
A couple of lucky observers were fortunate to have high floor rooms at Hotel Landa that had a direct view of the Sun through totality. Here LeRoy Maxfield shot his images without even having to go outside. On the eclipse cruise next year it is unlikely that anyone having a cabin with a walk-out balcony will be able to use it for photography since the Sun will be quite high in the sky. Juliette Sterkens photo.
Two ‘total solar eclipses’ in the breakfast room at Hotel Riu Madrid
A total solar eclipse representation outside a restaurant in Salamanca.
“stock of glasses exhausted for observation of the eclipse” sign seen at the Botanical Garden area in Madrid.
Spain issued a 4 Euro stamp just to commemorate this eclipse. However, it was limited to 65,000 and then production was ended. Face value is 4 Euros but selling on Ebay for 40 Euros now.
Also in Greenland you could find this stamp. This and the next 2 images extracted from Facebook posts.
Drone view of clouded out Iceland eclipse crowd 3 hour traffic jam in Iceland after the eclipse
TRAVEL RELATED PHOTOS
The Moon, an airplane and Venus two nights after the eclipse. Tom Angle photo.
What appears to be a crashed aircraft from WWII is likely not. We saw it on the way from Burgos to Madrid while stopped briefly for a bathroom break. Photo by Bernadette Dabrowski-Zelten.
Trying to appeal to all potential customers this store advertises a wide range of things you don’t ordinarily see at Walmart.
Rain: something we were lucky enough not to see on eclipse day but our bus back to Madrid 2 days later encountered this.
Constellations painted on the ceiling during the 15th century of a room in a building we visited in Salamanca at the University there. In the center is Scorpius. Just below that is Sagittarius. Unfortunately all the stars depicted seem to be shown as being of the same size (brightness) which is not the case in reality.
Police patrolling along the Gran Vila in Madrid
Possibly an eclipse related local cookie
Eclipse wine. Sharon Braswell photo.
Aftermath of an explosion just outside the hotel grounds where 3 trucks were being transported. One went up in flames. A crane was brought in to haul them away.
Astronomically themed item in a cooler at Carrefour
Graffitti was seen everywhere especially along highways in/out of Madrid
A monk parakeet in Barcelona. Sandi Schnall.
Some bilingual signs are not clear
40 foot Herschel reflecting telescope (with 48-inch mirror) replica at the observatory in central Madrid. Built around 1788 it remained the largest telescope in the world for 50 years and helped discover 2 of Saturn’s moons– Mimas and Enceladus.
A meridian transit telescope also at the observatory in Madrid