From eclipse to the media: Ciências ULisboa at the forefront of explaining the phenomenon

In the weeks leading up to the eclipse, professors and researchers from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) helped Portugal understand the phenomenon that everyone wanted to witness.

The solar eclipse of 12 August turned Portugal’s eyes to the sky and also placed science at the centre of media attention. In the two weeks leading up to the phenomenon, professors and researchers from Ciências ULisboa were called upon by the media to explain what would happen, answer questions from the public, dispel myths, and reveal the science behind one of the most eagerly anticipated astronomical events of the century. From television and radio to newspapers and digital media, numerous interviews and discussions brought the science of Ciências ULisboa beyond lecture theatres, laboratories and research centres, bringing scientific knowledge closer to thousands of people.

Among the most prominent voices was Pedro Mota Machado, a professor at the Faculty, researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, and National Commissioner for the 2026 Eclipse. In the days leading up to the event, he explained to the Portuguese public what made this eclipse so special, where it could best be observed, and what people could expect.

Rui Agostinho brought an essential concern to the discussion: safety. A retired Full Professor at CIÊNCIAS ULisboa and a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, he was one of the key voices warning about the risks of observing the Sun without adequate protection, helping to ensure that public curiosity about the phenomenon did not put people’s eyesight at risk.

José Afonso, President of the Portuguese Astronomical Society and Vice Faculty Dean of Ciências ULisboa, took the experience even further. He travelled to Spain to observe the eclipse from within the path of totality and, on the evening of 12 August, was live on CNN Portugal to describe first-hand what it had been like to witness the event. His account brought to television audiences the excitement of someone who had just experienced a rare and extraordinary phenomenon.

Pedro Ré and Luís Tirapicos also contributed to this wide-ranging discussion on theging different perspectives on astronomy, sky observation, science communication and the history of science to the media.

The solar eclipse brought the expertise of Ciências ULisboa to an impressive range of media outlets, from television and radio to print and digital journalism. Público, Diário de Notícias, Expresso, Observador, SIC Notícias, CNN Portugal, TSF, Renascença, Correio da Manhã, RTP, Wilder, Human Resources Portugal, and Diário de Leiria, among many others, drew on the knowledge and experience of CIÊNCIAS academics and researchers to explain the phenomenon and its many dimensions.

Pedro Mota Machado, José Afonso, Rui Agostinho and other specialists helped clarify questions relating to observation and safety, the evolution of the eclipse, weather conditions and the effects of the phenomenon, while researchers working in biodiversity contributed insights into how animals may respond to sudden changes in light and temperature. Their presence highlights how Ciências ULisboa not only produces knowledge but is also committed to sharing it, making science more accessible, understandable and relevant to society.