Can you imagine experiencing the August 12 eclipse from space? Although tourist flights beyond Earth’s orbit are already a reality, for now they are far beyond the reach of the vast majority of us. However, there are other ways to travel to space—or at least to do so virtually.
The Valencia City Council, through Valencia Innovation Capital, has organized an immersive exhibition to experience and learn what an eclipse is like from outside Earth. This educational activity combines virtual reality and artificial intelligence to turn attendees into astronauts for a day.
Thanks to this simulation, participants will be able to understand the alignment between the Sun, Earth, and Moon and why this visual effect occurs. In addition, other phenomena that are practically imperceptible from Earth’s surface—such as the solar corona, the diamond ring, and Baily’s beads—are recreated.
The exhibition also takes us back in time, specifically to 1905, and recounts what happened the last time this phenomenon occurred in Valencia, as well as the weather-related challenges astronomers of that era faced in recording it. Thanks to technological advances, such problems will not occur this time around.
Exhibition dates and location
The exhibition will be open from July 20 through August 31 at the Las Naves Center for Social and Urban Innovation, located at 16 Joan Verdeguer Street. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the exhibition is recommended for all audiences, including families, young people, and organized groups.
