A total solar eclipse will darken parts of Spain on Wednesday, prompting authorities to activate massive security forces. Although Croatia won't experience full darkness, a partial eclipse will be visible from the country.
Spain is on high alert ahead of one of the rarest astronomical events in over a century. On Wednesday, August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across parts of the country, with authorities bracing for an unprecedented influx of visitors. The Jutarnji list reports that Spain's Ministry of the Interior has mobilized more than 33,600 police officers and Civil Guard members to maintain order and security.
This celestial spectacle is the first visible from mainland Europe since 1999, and the Iberian Peninsula hasn't witnessed a total eclipse since 1905, according to El País. The exception was the Canary Islands, which experienced one in 1959. As a result, for millions of Spaniards, this will be their first total solar eclipse in their lifetime.
A veritable rush of enthusiasts is expected. According to data published by Spanish portal Cadena SER, an estimated 1.8 to 2.9 million additional trips will be made to over 350 observation points across the country. Authorities have designated 123 areas under special security measures, and on the Balearic Islands alone, 26 official observation zones have been established: nine on Mallorca, nine on Menorca, six on Ibiza, and two on Formentera, as reported by Jutarnji list, citing the media outlet Última Hora.
Interest is particularly high for Mallorca, where the total phase of the eclipse will last one and a half minutes. The moon will fully cover the sun at around 8:30 PM local time, and the combination of totality and sunset, which occurs at approximately 8:49 PM, makes this event exceptionally attractive. Due to anticipated congestion, traffic restrictions will be in place on certain roads in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and maritime surveillance has been increased.
An additional hazard is the risk of wildfires. Spain is in a very dry and hot period, and the mass movement of people through nature further increases this risk. Consequently, sensitive natural areas will be closely monitored, and aerial surveillance will be intensified.
Interest in viewing from the sea is immense. Regional broadcaster RTVE Baleari reports that boat reservations began filling up months in advance, and vessels are now almost entirely sold out. For those with deeper pockets, hotel company Meliá Hotels International has offered an exclusive package worth €200,000. The package includes private transportation, a private plane flight, four nights in a luxury suite, a personal driver, and viewing the eclipse from a private yacht, along with a special gastronomic offering.
NASA will also be tracking the eclipse from Spain, with live broadcasts from several locations. One of these is set up in Villalibada, a nearly abandoned village in the province of Burgos whose last residents left in 1998. The American space agency's telescopes have been placed near the Romanesque church of San Salvador, from where the eclipse will be streamed to viewers worldwide.
Although Croatia is not on the path of totality, a partial solar eclipse will be observable on Wednesday. The moon will cover part of the sun's disk, but the exact percentage will depend on the observer's location. The sun will be very low on the western horizon, near sunset, so a completely unobstructed view to the west will be necessary.
A key warning applies to Croatia as well: the sun must not be viewed directly without special eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses are insufficient, and looking through cameras, phones, or binoculars without proper solar filters can cause permanent eye damage. Nearly a billion people worldwide will be able to see at least part of this eclipse, while about 15 million live within the narrow path of totality, reports Anadolu Agency.
