More than 300 people gathered yesterday at Arraial beach in Tavira to watch the solar eclipse, in an event that attracted a larger-than-expected crowd, according to Filipa Vargas, of the Tavira Ciência Viva Science Centre, who organised the event.
Before the eclipse began, Vargas told journalists that the more than 300 people waiting in line would have to take turns viewing the astronomical phenomenon through the telescope set up by the Tavira Ciência Viva Science Centre. Around 100 pairs of protective glasses were also distributed, allowing people to watch the eclipse safely without risking damage to their eyesight.
“The turnout is greater than we expected,” Vargas said, admitting she was “excited” to witness a rare phenomenon that had generated “so much anticipation”.
Near the old fort at the site, participants queued for their turn to view the eclipse through the telescope. Among those attending was 45-year-old Carlos Torres, from Porto, who told the press that he was on holiday in Tavira, and had taken the opportunity to attend the Ciência Viva event with his son, watching the Moon partially obscure the Sun.
“We came mainly for the little one. It’s the first time he’s had the chance to see an eclipse and he was very curious,” Torres said. His seven-year-old son, Eduardo, said he had particularly enjoyed “seeing the Sun being covered by the Moon”, although he complained about the crowds and not being able to spend longer looking through the telescope.
Twenty-year-old Carla Santos said she had seen information online about the Ciência Viva event at Arraial beach, but “didn’t think there would be so many people wanting to take part”.
“But it was good. We got to see it through the telescope once, and now we have the glasses to share until 8pm,” she said shortly before 7.30pm, when the eclipse was expected to reach its peak.
Also among the 300-strong crowd was 35-year-old Lisbon resident Luís Galrito, who was pleased to have secured a pair of the protective glasses distributed by the organisers.
“We managed to get some glasses so we could watch the eclipse without having to queue for the telescope. You don’t see it as close up, but it’s easier to follow because we don’t have to give way to so many people, there are only five of us sharing the glasses in our group,” he said, accompanied by his wife, a couple of friends, and their son.
Joana Santos was another holidaymaker who refused to miss the opportunity to witness “such a rare astronomical phenomenon, which will only happen again in around 100 years”.
“It was spectacular. There were a lot of people, but it was worth the wait, because you don’t get to see a solar eclipse like this every day,” she added..
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: Luís Forra
