Could clouds spoil Spain’s August 12 eclipse? There’s another way to watch it live and as it happens

Light cloud cover could leave some sky-watchers in Malaga and inland Valencia wondering whether Spain’s much-awaited solar eclipse will live up to expectations on Wednesday, August 12.

Anyone hoping for a clear view of the Sun disappearing behind the Moon could face an awkward wait as the eclipse takes place close to sunset. Even a thin layer of cloud in the wrong place could turn a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event into a frustrating few minutes of staring at a grey sky. Fortunately, there is another option.

How to watch the August 12 solar eclipse online despite the weather

Scientists from the Andalucian Institute of Astrophysics (IAA) are preparing a special live broadcast of the eclipse, giving people another chance to follow the event even if clouds get in the way.

Researchers will broadcast the eclipse live using YouTube, with the event being produced in collaboration with scientific and international organisations. The European Space Agency coverage will also provide a way to follow the total solar eclipse online.

ESA has confirmed that its official English-language broadcast will come from the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory in Teruel, presented by Dr. Maggie Aderin at one of the facilities located inside the path of totality. ESA Web TV and YouTube will present the broadcast from around 7.30pm (CEST) mainland Spanish time on Wednesday, August 12. The programme will feature scientists and special guests explaining what is happening as the Moon moves across the face of the Sun.

For anyone stuck under cloud, watching online could therefore be a much better option than relying on a few lucky breaks in the weather.

Malaga, Almeria, Murcia and southern Costa Blanca will only see a deep partial eclipse

Anyone watching from those areas should remember that Wednesday’s event will not be a total solar eclipse from the province.

Andalucia is outside the path of totality for the August 12 eclipse, meaning southern Spain will experience a very deep partial eclipse instead. The situation will be very different next year, when the total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027 will cross parts of southern Spain, including areas of Malaga province.

Rather than directing everyone towards one famous viewpoint, researchers have suggested that people spread out to avoid unnecessary crowds. Low altitude will be one of the biggest challenges for observers across Spain. Because the August 12 eclipse takes place late in the day, the Sun will be close to the western horizon. Buildings, hills, trees or cloud in exactly the wrong place could therefore ruin an otherwise excellent viewing location.

Don’t, whatever you do, look directly at the Sun

Cloud or no cloud, eye safety is still vital. Anyone watching the partial eclipse from Malaga, Granada, Valencia or elsewhere in Spain must use properly certified solar viewing glasses whenever any part of the Sun remains visible. The danger is said to be double if one is not situated in the path of totality, which will be more in the northern part of Spain, as only part of the sun will be covered.

The Perseids are another reason to look up

Wednesday’s eclipse is also arriving at an especially interesting time for sky-watchers. The event coincides with the end of the Perseid meteor shower, giving people another astronomical spectacle to look for around the same period.

Anyone who misses the eclipse because of clouds, therefore, has a second reason to keep an eye on the night sky later.

Another total eclipse is coming in 2027

Missing totality this year does not mean the end of the story for Spain. A second total solar eclipse will cross southern Spain on August 2, 2027. Parts of Andalucia, including areas of Malaga, Granada and Almeria, will fall within the path of totality. That eclipse is expected to give southern Spain a much better chance to experience totality than Wednesday’s event.

For residents of the Costa del Sol, August 2027 could therefore be the big one. Wednesday’s eclipse can still be worth experiencing, though. Even a very deep partial eclipse is an unusual experience, and the live scientific broadcasts mean cloudy skies do not necessarily have to end the experience.