The 487 year eclipse; "Eclipse Total de Amor":
The 12th August Total Solar Eclipse was the greatest partial solar eclipse to be seen from the United Kingdom since 1999. Although a Total Solar Eclipse would not be visible from the UK, totality was witnessed from Greenland, Iceland and Mainland Spain.
This eclipse for me would be a very special occasion. In the end, I decided to observe this total solar eclipse from the island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands. Primarily through family holidays there as a youngster. In what I believe to have been 2012, I had just read Fred Espenak's Eclipse Thousand Year Canon, containing details of the 12th August 2026 eclipse. I have fond memories overlooking a beautiful cove as the sun was beginning to set, and remember saying to myself, when that time comes - I want to observe this total solar eclipse here, from Menorca. Only then, I didn't realise a much greater story was about to emerge.
It was largely reported that a total solar eclipse had not been seen from mainland Spain since 30th August 1905. Out of curiosity, I wondered if this circumstance would be the same for Menorca, and it was not (see above). A total solar eclipse was not observed, but a very deep partial at 98.92% coverage from Maó. After searching 2000 years of NASA eclipse records, I found the date I was looking for. Menorca last experienced a total solar eclipse 487 years ago, on 18th April 1539 AD. Coincidentally, the total solar eclipse before fell on the same calendar date; 12th August 609 AD; 1,423 years ago. Therefore, I knew attempting this eclipse from Menorca would certainly be pushing boundaries the most daring eclipse I have yet undertaken. It would certainly be a challenge with the totally eclipsed sun just 2° above the local horizon at sunset.
If the weather forecast was to hold and all elements were to fall in to place, this would be my rarest image of a Total Solar Eclipse. Astronomical record also shows a Total Solar Eclipse will not be seen again from the island of Menorca for a minimum of 2000 years. I really feel like I have been placed at an integral time in human existence to document the last of many rare, great eclipses!
For this eclipse, there was only one feature of interest I wished to photograph the eclipse above, and that was the mighty Taulas of Menorca. Incredible T-shaped stone monuments built by the ancient Talaiotic culture between 1000-300BC; astronomically aligned to the winter solstice. I remember as a youngster visiting a few of them. Having researched multiple sites and baring in mind the elevation of the totally eclipsed sun, it was not easy to find a location where a monument and totality could be captured together. But, there was in fact one that would do it - the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Talatí de Dalt.
Talatí de Dalt is one of the largest and most important Talyiotic sites in Menorcan prehistory. As one of the largest settlements on the island, houses an impressive sanctuary, with enclosed Taula setting only 4km from Maó. However, the observant would note the only way to have seen an eclipse from this location would be from vantage point, and there was; a feature known as a (central) Talaiot. A large, cylindrical structure believed to contain an interior chamber attached to a number of additional constructions. What is certain, these structures were constructed as vantage points. With permission of the land owner, we were permitted to climb the Talaiot. This would allow us to gain enough elevation to capture both the Taula and Totality in shot. One of my earlier concerns as well is whether the site would be open for the solar eclipse, with standard opening hours closing at 8pm! Fortunately, extended access was permitted and the scene was now set to capture a landmark image, whilst enacting the history and story that is - Menorca.
Arriving 24 hours before the eclipse, we scouted the location. Making acquaintances (and now friends) with the landowners, to understand the situation and context we were dealing with ahead of eclipse day; to run logistics and make sure all was in position ahead the eclipse. We had been warned of the risk of potential road closures across the island beginning at 2pm on the 12th August, especially main routes across the island to control the flow of traffic building up to and during the eclipse. This meant having to wait at location for 6 hours.
Waiting it out was a challenge. Possibly one of the bigger asks I have had to make for any solar eclipse photography. Exposed in 40° heat, we had to protect ourselves using parasols. Knowing the situation in nearby Madrid with difficulties of car hire, public transport and cancelled public services to observe the eclipse, I was not going to put anything to chance. With the risk of wildfires also, I wanted to be as best prepared for a potential influx of crowds whilst undertaking interviews and sending material back to the UK from site.
Surprisingly enough, we were greeted with zero tourists for the eclipse; we practically had the site to ourselves. What made the experience monumental was to share the experience with the family who have owned Talatí de Dalt for over 5 generations. In a small gathering, we waited in anticipation for the eclipse to take place. Looking at the weather forecast, we were in a good chance of seeing totality. This time, the weather models had been revised just hours before and the trend indicated only a slight chance of low cirrus cloud at sunset. However, I am delighted to reveal now that made no impact to our observation of the eclipse.
At 19:37, the partial phases of the eclipse began. With telephoto and wide angle images set up and ready to go, we could now enjoy the eclipse as it took place. As with any major solar eclipse, I like to attempt a livestream of the eclipse to share the event with my supporters across the world. The reel also makes for a wonderful reminder to look back on the events as they took place. What I remember from memory is the pastel colours of the sky as we approached totality, and to see the moon's shadow racing across the earth was just fantastic. After the eclipse, I was interviewed by Sky News and will include the interview below:
What was exciting to see was the predictions from ESA of the solar corona at the time of Totality. In my eyes, I saw this as a 'starfish' corona, and the prediction was very resolute. A very fitting structure for the Great Spanish Eclipse and especially so from the Balearics.
An incredible moment was to see the progression of Totality across the Earth in real time. With friends positioned in Greenland and mainland Spain (rain and clouds obscuring the majority in Iceland). Over a period of two hours, I could track the moon's shadow on live satellite data. To think the eclipse was progressing made the experience come more so alive. It only made me think, what would the ancient people of the Talyiotic culture have thought to see day turn to night for a matter of seconds?
Now, for the final output. Exactly how I had planned in my mind. Totality captured above Talatí de Dalt. As documented from the image, the beautiful 'starfish' corona was visible. Slight low cirrus cloud to the horizon obscured only a small portion of the corona but was not enough to obliterate the scene of a 487-year eclipse. This is now my rarest image of a Total Solar Eclipse and the power of astronomy was well and truly on my shoulders that day. After witnessing Totality from Menorca, to think over 2,000 years would pass by; there is no record of totality occurring in the future until the next round of eclipse data shows. The beautiful, delicate darkening of the moons shadow sweeps across the scene, revealing the beautiful golden corona sitting low to the horizon. Daylight can be seen either side and this period of Totality only lasted 70 seconds.
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