Hundreds of people were able to watch today in Rio de Onor, Bragança, the total eclipse of the sun, which they described as a “single” and “magical” phenomenon, which they will never forget.
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12/08/2026
by
Lusa
Pthey 18:34, the moon began by giving a “bite” to the sun and the phenomenon was happening as time went by. By 7:30 the temperature went down and for just over 20 seconds it was night: the total eclipse of the sun was happening.
“ I think it's almost impossible to describe. It's a unique feeling, like magic. It seemed to be in another universe,” he told Lusa, Teresa Vargas, one of the people who witnessed the phenomenon on the road between Rio de Onor and Guadramil, where dozens of scientists, curious and journalists concentrated to observe the eclipse at 100%.
Dressed rigorously in a sweater that said “Total solar eclipse Guadramil”, admitted that the phenomenon “was better” than expected, describing “red and orange colors on the hill”.
Ivone Fachada of the Living Science Center failed to contain tears of emotion during those seconds “absolutely incredible”.
“ Of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in the sky, it was impressive to see the light going down, these fields all turning almost blue, it looked like a blue light, suddenly it became dark, we took off our glasses for 20 seconds and it was a wow moment ", described the researcher.
11-year-old Laura said she was “fascinate” with everything she saw. “I really liked to observe”, he said, adding that he liked to repeat.
The father of the teenager did not hide the enthusiasm either. “It was unique [the experience], I think I would say it was epic. We managed to have a day made night for seconds, I think it was a unique experience, it will stay in the memory of all of us”, he said, highlighting that what impressed him most was having seen a “ball all round with fire”.
The total eclipse of the sun could only be seen in Portugal in the villages of Rio de Onor and Guadramil, in the municipality of Bragança.
In the rest of the country, the eclipse was partial, from 92% to 99% throughout the continental territory and from 74% to 77% in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira.
The rare phenomenon, which has not occurred since 1912 in Portugal, had a little over 20 seconds.
A total eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are perfectly aligned, and the Moon completely hides the solar disk for a few moments.