Four Days in Palencia: A Student’s Eclipse Diary
Solar telescopes, inspiring mentors and a sky going dark over northern Spain
On 10 August, I travelled from Morocco to Palencia, Spain, to witness the absolute magic of a total solar eclipse. This wasn’t just a sightseeing trip; it was a hands-on deep dive into the advanced solar telescopes we’ll be using for our Morocco Eclipse 2027 (NATE) project.
Standing under that transitioning sky gave me a whole new perspective on both science and human connection.
Those four days were completely mind-blowing. I had the privilege of learning directly from experts at the IAC and the National Solar Observatory, including Kevin Reardon, who has chased at least eight eclipses worldwide! Working shoulder-to-shoulder with my amazing mentors, Youssef Moulane and Yahya Tayalati, alongside a deeply passionate team spanning engineering, maths and astronomy, was an unforgettable experience.
Beyond the astrophysics, what truly left a mark on me was the Spanish culture. The people we collaborated with showed this incredible mix of emotional and cognitive intelligence. They take their highly technical work so seriously, yet they are incredibly warm, open, and eager to share their science with pure, contagious passion.
Standing under that transitioning sky, surrounded by such wonderful people, gave me a whole new perspective on both science and human connection. It was the perfect experience to fuel our ultimate mission.
Bring on 2027!