Millions of people across Europe looked up to the sky on August 12 as a rare solar eclipse swept across parts of the continent, creating spectacular moments in Greenland, Iceland and Spain. The total eclipse was visible in a narrow swath of the territory, while in many other European countries it was seen as a partial eclipse.
The phenomenon began over the Arctic and passed through Greenland and Iceland, before reaching northern Spain. According to NASA, the total eclipse of August 12, 2026 lasted up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds at the most favorable point of its path.
Rare solar eclipse is a celestial spectacle for millions pic.twitter.com/xYbqasAZjr
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 13, 2026
Northern Spain was one of the main viewing spots. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and residents gathered in various areas to watch the moment when the Moon completely covered the Sun and day turned into night for a few moments.
TOTALITY.
Castrojeriz, Burgos, Spain minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/KOZBmwQKuw
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) August 12, 2026
Reuters reported that up to six million people traveled to suitable areas of Spain to watch the phenomenon. Authorities deployed about 25 police officers and nearly 100 aircraft to manage security during the event.
Iceland also experienced one of the most special astronomical moments of the year. The total eclipse was visible in the western part of the country, while Reykjavik was also included in the zone of totality. However, clouds obstructed views in some areas and atmospheric conditions varied significantly from one region to another.
Greenland was another spectacular point along the path of totality. Due to the remoteness and unique nature of the territory, even cruise ships were positioned near the coast to give passengers the opportunity to experience the phenomenon from one of the most unique places on Earth.
A glimpse of today's solar eclipse over Greenland. pic.twitter.com/nVWUG9oQ1h
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) August 12, 2026
Meanwhile, large parts of Europe experienced the eclipse in partial form. In the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria and Poland, the Moon covered a significant portion of the solar disk, creating unusual views of the Sun during the day. In Warsaw, for example, coverage reached approximately 80–85 percent.
In Portugal, a small part of the territory was included in the path of totality, while the rest of the country saw the phenomenon as a partial eclipse. In France, too, the coverage was very large in some areas, causing the Sun to appear as a "crescent" in the sky.
Millions of people across Europe are watching the solar eclipse right now
It is best visible in Spain and Iceland.
But that's not all: on the night of August 12-13 comes the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. In a dark location, you can see dozens of meteors per hour, and under... pic.twitter.com/F54RZGcsz6
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 12, 2026
Images from the eclipse were broadcast in real time around the world, and photos from Spain, Iceland and Greenland showed the moment the sky darkened and the Sun's corona became visible around the Moon. The eclipse was also an important opportunity for scientists to study the solar corona and the effects of the phenomenon on Earth's atmosphere.
For millions of people in Europe, August 12, 2026 will remain as the day the sky changed in a matter of minutes. From the remote landscapes of Greenland and Iceland to the towns and villages of Spain, the total eclipse brought a rare astronomical spectacle that captured the attention of the entire continent.
