Lanzarote pauses to observe partial eclipse

Lanzarote paused just before sunset yesterday as thousands of people looked westward to observe the partial eclipse of the sun.

All over the island, groups of people gathered. Many chose to go to viewpoints on the western coast of the island, but as the sun is visible on most of the island, many others chose to stay close to home or extend their visit to the beach. Conditions for viewing were good, with just a very light calima haze and a few clouds that did not obscure the sun.

Many of the observers attempted to watch the eclipse on their mobile phones or simple homemade projectors, after discovering that special eclipse sunglasses were impossible to get hold of. On the promenade at La Santa, where the Elder Science Museum had organised a viewing and promised to hand out a limited number of glasses, hundreds gathered, most of whom ended up disappointed.

The eclipse reached its maximum at 7.51 pm, with almost 75% of the sun covered, but many lingered until it sank over the horizon at 8.45.

The ancient inhabitants of Lanzarote and the Canaries are reported to have worshipped the sun, naming it Magec – “one who possesses splendour and brilliance”.  Yesterday, the island turned to the skies once again.

Photo: @j.mendez.fotografia on Instagram