According to Reuters and CNN reports on August 12, 2026, millions of observers across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain experienced a total solar eclipse, watching the moon completely block the sun’s light and cast parts of Europe into darkness for roughly two minutes.
Path of Totality Across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain
According to Reuters, observers at the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory in Arcos de las Salinas near Teruel, Spain, watched the moon completely cover the sun. Similar total coverage occurred in Reykjavik, Iceland, where Marco di Marco captured the Hallgrímskirkja church silhouetted against a darkened sky during cloudy weather.
Partial Eclipse Views Span From Britain to Hungary
Associated Press and Reuters photographers documented crowds utilizing protective solar eyewear in cities including Berlin, Budapest, Stockholm, and Rickmansworth, Britain. In Rickmansworth, Britain, spectators gathered atop the St. Mary’s Church bell tower to monitor the partial phase, while beachgoers in Puerto de Sagunto near Valencia, Spain, tracked the moon taking a visual bite out of the solar disk, as noted by AP. Reuters images from Fregene near Rome captured local wildlife reactions, showing a fish leaping from the water as the afternoon light briefly dimmed.
Did you know? A partial solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but the three bodies are not perfectly aligned, causing the moon to block only a portion of the solar disk.
Astrophotography and Public Preparations
Scientists and amateur astronomers deployed specialized equipment days in advance of the event. According to Agence France-Presse, staff from the University of Toulouse positioned gear on the summit of the Pic du Midi in France to study the phenomenon. In A Coruna, Spain, CNN and Getty Images noted that spectators gathered near El Monte De San Pedro park while a wildfire climbed nearby hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves directly between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun’s face and casting a shadow across specific tracks of the planet’s surface, according to CNN.
How long did totality last during the event?
Where was the partial eclipse visible?
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