Millions of Europeans gathered to watch a significant solar eclipse after the moon's shadow passed over many areas from the Arctic to Europe, while Spain witnessed its first total solar eclipse in over a century.
On 12 Aug 2026 GMT+7, many European countries observed a major solar eclipse as the moon's shadow crossed the Arctic region, eastern Greenland, and western Iceland before moving across the Atlantic Ocean to the Iberian Peninsula and ending over the Mediterranean Sea.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the sun. The path of totality spanned about 290 kilometers wide, with some locations experiencing total coverage for up to approximately two minutes. Outside this path in the Northern Hemisphere, countries such as the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal saw a partial solar eclipse.
In Norway, people in several areas gathered to watch a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday amid the interest of astronomers and those keen to witness this rare celestial event. Some parts of Europe observed the moon covering most of the sun.
Spain became one of the prime viewing spots for this eclipse, marking the first time in over 100 years that a total solar eclipse was visible from the country's mainland. Millions traveled to cities and towns in northern and central Spain to secure the best vantage points expected across mainland Europe.
During the total eclipse phase, some areas fell into temporary darkness as the moon blocked sunlight, creating awe among those eagerly awaiting this significant event.
Meanwhile, in England, large crowds in Cornwall, in the southwest, gathered in the evening to watch a partial solar eclipse. Many sought to experience the midday darkness, the sudden temperature drop, and the quieting of some animals and birds, which mistakenly perceived it as nighttime.
In Germany, thousands traveled to Tempelhof Airport, now a large public park in central Berlin, to watch the eclipse. Visitors arrived on foot and by bicycle to this former Berlin air transport hub, which operated between 1948-1949.
Many attendees brought solar viewing glasses to share and picnicked while waiting for the event, while others crafted simple solar viewers from cereal boxes to safely observe the sun.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon perfectly aligns between the sun and Earth. Although the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, it is also roughly 400 times farther from Earth, making their apparent sizes from Earth nearly equal and allowing the moon to fully cover the sun in certain areas.
Source: BBC, AP