Overview
- The total solar eclipse will cross Spain on Wednesday, August 12, following a narrow path from Galicia across the peninsula to Castellón and the Balearic Islands with totality lasting under two minutes at most locations.
- Ophthalmologists warn that looking at the Sun without ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses can cause irreversible retinal damage and advise keeping glasses on except for the brief seconds of totality.
- The central government and ONCE are distributing two million certified eclipse glasses nationwide while the Generalitat de Catalunya will hand out 150,000 at 23 official observation points to reduce unsafe viewing.
- Protección Civil has moved to a pre-emergency operational phase and transport, Renfe and Defence have deployed special mobility and support measures as several regions announce additional ambulances, staff and local medical contingencies.
- Public interest has driven sharp travel demand and packed viewing events, raising pressure on local services and fire-prevention systems and increasing the risk of transport congestion and emergency calls during and after the eclipse.