Cartagena to distribute 10,000 free glasses for August solar eclipse

Cartagena will distribute more than 10,000 free pairs of glasses to residents and visitors so that they can safely observe the upcoming solar eclipse, to take place on Wednesday, August 12. The City Council will give away the glasses as part of an informational campaign to enjoy the celestial phenomenon from ideal lookout points across the coastline, including La Azohia, Isla Plana, or the Castillo de la Concepcion.

Where to collect your free eclipse glasses and get more information

The glasses to be distributed will be certified eclipse glasses and completely free of charge, allowing an accessible way for residents and visitors to watch the partial solar eclipse in mid-August, which is expected to take the municipality by storm.

This initiative has been promoted by the Cartagena Department of Tourism, and will allow visitors to collect them from Wednesday, July 1 at the tourist offices of Cartagena, La Manga and Isla Plana, as well as at the Ramón Alonso Luzzy Cultural Centre and the Canteras Astronomy Centre.

Several information points will also be set up in different areas of the municipality during the summer, where knowledgeable staff will offer recommendations for watching the solar eclipse without risking eye health.

The distributed solar eclipse glasses can also be kept for future eclipses, which are expected to be observed in Spain in 2027 and 2028, as long as they are kept in good condition and stored correctly.

The best lookout points in Cartagena

Places including La Azohía, Isla Plana or the area around the Castillo de la Concepción are the ideal places to observe the eclipse, as they offer privileged conditions thanks to their wide horizons facing west, allowing residents and visitors to see the eclipse more clearly. This astronomical phenomenon is expected to reach its peak intensity between 7:48pm and 8:36pm, a period during which the sun will begin to obscure itself before sunset.

Essential safety guidelines for viewing the eclipse

In addition to the glasses, officials have also released a set of recommendations in order to safely enjoy the eclipse and prevent injuries to the eye, including:

• Using only approved glasses that comply with European Union regulations.
• Not looking at the sun for extended periods; only short intervals.
• Not using conventional sunglasses, X-rays, smoked glass, or other homemade methods, as they do not adequately protect your eyes.
• In a partial eclipse, such as the one that will be visible from Cartagena, the glasses must remain on throughout the observation.
• Not looking at the sun through telescopes, binoculars or cameras without specific solar filters, as this can cause irreversible damage to the retina.

With this special and scientifically fascinating campaign, the city will make it easier for thousands of people to enjoy this incredible astronomical event in a safe way and from some of the best viewpoints on the coast of Cartagena.