People with visual disabilities will be able to experience the eclipse through sound at the official observation points
The Government of Aragon will incorporate LightSound devices at the four sites set up for 12 August, enabling real-time perception of the astronomical phenomenon as it unfolds.
The Government of Aragon will enhance the accessibility of the official observation points for the total solar eclipse on 12 August by incorporating LightSound devices, a technology that converts light into sound and enables people with visual disabilities to follow the evolution of the astronomical phenomenon in real time.
The initiative is part of the Inclusive Eclipse project, coordinated by the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), and will ensure that the four official Government of Aragon observation sites are equipped with these devices on the day of the eclipse.
The devices convert variations in sunlight intensity into sounds whose frequency changes as the Moon gradually covers the Sun. When totality is reached, the sound disappears completely, allowing people with visual disabilities to follow all phases of the eclipse through hearing.
“We want the eclipse to be an experience shared by the whole of society. Accessibility has been part of the planning from the very beginning because we want everyone to be able to participate in and enjoy this unique event. The incorporation of LightSound devices at the official observation points reflects that commitment to an experience open to all,” says Miguel Ángel Clavero, Director General of the Interior and Emergencies.
The devices can be connected to amplification systems to facilitate their use during the observation activities organised at the official points.
LightSound technology was originally developed by researchers at Harvard University and has already been used successfully during eclipses in the United States, Chile and Argentina, enabling numerous people with visual disabilities to actively participate in observing these astronomical phenomena.
The total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 will make Aragon one of the best places in Europe to observe this astronomical phenomenon. With the incorporation of LightSound devices, the official sites will also feature specific resources to encourage the participation of people with visual disabilities in one of the most significant scientific events of the coming decades.
