Manilva will find itself in one of the best places in mainland Europe to witness a total eclipse of the Sun next summer.
On Monday 2 August 2027, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, briefly turning morning into night across a narrow band stretching from southern Spain through North Africa and into the Middle East.
While much of Europe will see only a partial eclipse, Manilva lies inside the path of totality. According to calculations published by Spain’s Instituto Geográfico Nacional, the Sun will be completely covered for approximately three minutes and 47 seconds in the municipality.
The eclipse will begin in Manilva at around 9.41 am, when the Moon first starts to move across the face of the Sun. Totality is expected to begin at approximately 10.46 am, with the maximum point reached shortly before 10.48 am.
The Sun will begin to reappear at around 10.49 am, bringing the brief period of darkness to an end. The partial phase will continue until shortly after midday.
Exact timings will vary by a few seconds depending on the observer’s location within the municipality.
What will the total eclipse look like?
As totality approaches, daylight will begin to fade rapidly and the temperature may noticeably drop. Shadows will sharpen, birds and other animals may react as though night is falling, and bright planets and stars could become visible in the morning sky.
Once the Sun is completely covered, its outer atmosphere, known as the corona, should appear as a pale halo around the dark silhouette of the Moon.
The effect will be particularly dramatic in Manilva because the eclipse will occur with the Sun already well above the horizon. An open location with a clear view towards the southeast should therefore provide the best experience.
The coast, elevated areas around Manilva Pueblo and viewpoints towards the Mediterranean are likely to prove popular, although official viewing areas and any associated local arrangements have yet to be announced.
One of the century’s longest eclipses
The shadow of the Moon will cross the Strait of Gibraltar before continuing through Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia.
Gibraltar will experience around four and a half minutes of totality, while locations close to Luxor in Egypt will see the Sun disappear for approximately six minutes and 23 seconds. This will make it one of the longest total solar eclipses of the 21st century.
Even so, almost four minutes of complete darkness in Manilva will make this an exceptional local event and one likely to attract visitors from parts of Spain and Europe outside the path of totality.
Protecting your eyes
Looking directly at the Sun without suitable protection can cause permanent damage to the retina, even when most of the Sun is hidden.
Observers should use properly certified eclipse glasses complying with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard throughout the partial phases. Ordinary sunglasses, exposed photographic film, CDs, smoked glass and other homemade alternatives do not offer adequate protection.
Cameras, binoculars and telescopes also require specially designed solar filters fitted over the front of the equipment. Eclipse glasses alone are not safe when looking through magnifying optical equipment.
Eye protection may be removed only during the brief period of complete totality, when the Sun is entirely covered. It must be put back on as soon as the first bright edge of the Sun begins to reappear.
With Manilva directly inside the path of totality, 2 August 2027 promises to be one of the most memorable mornings the municipality has experienced—and a date worth putting in the diary now.
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