When the sky darkens, science lights up: the University of Navarra Science Museum prepares for the great eclipse
27 | 01 | 2026
On August 12, the Sun will disappear for a few minutes and millions of people will look up at the sky. To turn this unique moment into a learning experience, the University of Navarra Science Museum, in partnership the Caja Navarra Foundation, has designed a special program of educational activities around the total solar eclipse, designed for all audiences and all media: seeing, hearing, touching, and understanding the science behind one of the most fascinating astronomical phenomena.
"The eclipse is a thrilling natural spectacle, but also an extraordinary opportunity to spark scientific curiosity. We want people not only to see it, but to understand what is happening up there and why it is so special," says Ignacio López-Goñi, director University of Navarra Science Museum.
A unique phenomenon explained by science... and for the public
The proposal combines scientific explanation, active participation, and knowledge dissemination , with activities that help answer core topic questions: Why don't eclipses happen every year? What exactly happens when the Moon covers the Sun? Where can I see an eclipse and how can I do so safely? Or curiosities such as Who was the first person to predict an eclipse? Or What is the relationship between eclipses and Ramón y Cajal from Navarre?
Through educational content, the Museum explains the phases of the eclipse, its celestial mechanics, and its historical and scientific significance, contextualizing why the 2026 eclipse will be particularly relevant for Spain.
Family workshops and moon camps: learning by looking at the sky
One of the central pillars of the program is family workshops, designed for children and adults to learn together. Activities such as "Discover eclipses in the solar system with your family"allow participants to experience internship these phenomena occur and understand how the solar system works in a close and understandable way.
There are also proposals with a approach playful and exploratory approach , such as"Hunting eclipses: an achievable adventure,"which invites young people to step into the shoes of real observers of the cosmos. "Science doesn't start in a book, it starts with a question. And an eclipse is one of the best questions the sky can ask," saysMarie-Anne Reynell, manager educational program. The program is rounded off with lunar camps that will take place during the months of June, July, and August.
Mondays in the Sun: when astronomy is explained without rushing
As part of its special programming on the eclipse, the Science Museum is also promoting thoughtful reflection and scientific conversation through the series"Mondays in the Sun,"a space for informative talks that invites people to pause and understand the phenomenon beyond the initial amazement. These sessions (on Mondays, April 20 and 27, and May 4 and 11) are designed to be accessible to the general public, with experts in science and knowledge dissemination the solar eclipse from different perspectives.
Carlos Briones, scientist at the CSIC-INTA Astrobiology Center, associated with the NASA Astrobiology Institute, proposes a journey into the cosmos in search of extraterrestrial life. Paloma Pérez-Ilzarbe, an expert in Logic and Philosophy Language, andDiego Maza, Full Professor Physics and Applied Mathematics, both from the University of Navarra, will discuss the mathematics and Philosophy the ancient celestial spheres. The former director Pamplona Planetarium, astrophysicist Javier Armentia, will talk about the science and culture of the Sun and Moon. The series will conclude with a conversation about the symbolism of the sun and moon as sacred stars in pre-Columbian religions, between José Luis de Rojas y Gutiérrez de Gandarilla, an expert in American history, Francisco Gil García, director Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, both from the Complutense University of Madrid, and Pilar Latasa, professor of American history at the University of Navarra.
Don't let the eclipse blind you to the light: science in the cafeteria
Science will also make its way outside the classroom with "Science in the cafeteria, cafeteriaone of the most original proposals in the program. In this format, the solar eclipse will be the excuse to explain and enjoy science in an informal setting. On Monday, May 18, at the cafeteria in Pamplona, there will be a knowledge dissemination show with monologues, humor, curiosities, music, and much more.
The program is rounded off with a summer film series, in partnership Civican in Pamplona, where some of the most spectacular documentaries from the #LabMeCrazy science film festival will be screened: The Sun, Inferno in the Sky, Apollo 11, and Spacewoman.
The Museum as a meeting point meeting a major astronomical event
"On August 12, 2026, we will look up at the sky, but we will also look to science. We will join in the activities being organized in Lerín, land of stars, to enjoy the total solar eclipse. Our goal for that moment to leave a lasting impression and help us better understand the universe in which we live," concludes the director .