The Safor region is preparing for a historic astronomical event: the solar eclipse on August 12th. The La Safor Astronomical Association, a local reference point, has called for a "dress rehearsal" this Saturday, August 8th, at 10 AM at the Marxuquera Social Center. This meeting will serve as a final pre-observation session and will include an informative talk about the phenomenon, as confirmed by Juan Bautista García Gimeno, the association's president.
García Gimeno invites residents and tourists to attend this event and also advises that "people should use this weekend and the preceding days to find a good location to view the eclipse." The association, following official recommendations, urges people to avoid natural parks or areas at risk of forest fires.
On August 12th, the association will not organize any special events, as many of its members will travel to Palencia to witness the phenomenon from a special location. In La Safor, the sun's obscuration will begin between 7:35 PM and 7:40 PM, reaching its maximum point around 8:33 PM. The eclipse, which will be almost total (99.92%), will last between 1 and 3 minutes.
The president of the La Safor Astronomical Association suggests that the Gandia Port arm could be a good viewing spot, considering that "the eclipse will be very low because it occurs at sunset" and that "any building or geographical feature to the west will block it."
For proper viewing of the phenomenon, basic instructions are recommended: do not look directly at the sun without adequate protection, use certified glasses that filter ultraviolet and infrared rays, and do not observe with devices (cameras, telescopes) without the corresponding solar filters. The use of non-certified filters is discouraged.
Citizens will experience a sensation of "darkness" and a drop in temperature during the eclipse. Furthermore, the night of August 12th coincides with the Perseid meteor shower, offering a double astronomical spectacle for those who remain at the observation site.
