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Spain to Host Aug 12 Total Eclipse, Deploys 24,000 Police

8/9/2026

Summary

Spain Hosts Eclipse

Spain will host the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, with the Moon’s shadow crossing the Iberian Peninsula.
The eclipse path also passes over Greenland, western Iceland and northeastern Portugal, lasting up to 2 min 18 s.
Totality begins at 5:48 p.m. GMT in western Iceland and peaks near 8:32 p.m. CEST over northern Spain.
Spain will deploy more than 24,000 Guardia Civil officers at 660 sites while the European Commission monitors energy impacts.

Summary

Alaska Libraries Giveaway

Alaska's Willow, Trapper Creek and Talkeetna libraries will give away free eclipse shades during open hours.
South Central Alaska will see about 30% eclipse coverage, peak at 8:20 a.m., lasting 1½ hours.
Officials advise using certified eclipse glasses or pin-hole projection because direct viewing is unsafe.
The next eclipses after August 2026 will be a 23% partial in Newfoundland on Aug. 2 2027 and an 81% partial on Jan. 14 2029 across northern Canada and northwest U.S.

History

Historical Context

On 11 August 1999 a total solar eclipse of magnitude 1.0286 swept across Europe, the first such event visible there since 22 July 1990 and the first in the United Kingdom since 29 June 1927. Because totality occurs at any location only once every 360-410 years, authorities now prioritize eye-protection and crowd management for upcoming eclipses.

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Spain Hosts Eclipse

Spain will host the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, with the Moon’s shadow crossing the Iberian Peninsula.
The eclipse path also passes over Greenland, western Iceland and northeastern Portugal, lasting up to 2 min 18 s.
Totality begins at 5:48 p.m. GMT in western Iceland and peaks near 8:32 p.m. CEST over northern Spain.
Spain will deploy more than 24,000 Guardia Civil officers at 660 sites while the European Commission monitors energy impacts.

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