“The Day the Moon Will Hide the Sun”: Salvador J. Ribas brings the great eclipse to the University of Lleida

Yesterday, the Montsec Astronomical Park’s expertise and reputation reached university lecture halls. The director of the Montsec Astronomical Park, Salvador J. Ribas, gave a lecture at the University of Lleida (UdL) entitled “The day the Moon will hide the Sun”, a highlight of the “UdL looks to the sky” series.

Using simple, visual explanations, he explained why solar eclipses occur, how they unfold and why they are so rare. Furthermore, this talk marks a key milestone on our journey towards the major event on 12 August, when we will experience a total solar eclipse that will place the region at the centre of the global astronomical spotlight.

Beyond the spectacle: Science and preparation

In his talk, Ribas shared the most fascinating details of this phenomenon, focusing on the points we have been explaining on our blog to ensure that no one misses a single second of the total eclipse:

• The mystery of the horizon: As the eclipse will take place at dusk (around 8.30 pm), the Sun will be very low in the sky. Salvador Ribas explained why obstacles such as hills or distant buildings are so crucial on this occasion.
• Unique sensations: The lecture also explored the visual phenomena we will experience, such as the metallic hue of the sky, the visibility of the solar corona and the mysterious bands of shadow.

The Montsec: a driving force for knowledge

The partnership between the Montsec Astronomical Park and the University of Lleida (UdL) reinforces our commitment to raising awareness of our natural heritage and to research. We are working to ensure that society not only observes the sky, but also recognises it as an asset of incalculable value to our region.

We invite you to follow all the latest news and advice from Salvador J. Ribas on this blog so that you’ll be prepared for the eclipse on 12 August and other phenomena.