A total solar eclipse darkened skies over Iceland and northern Spain on Wednesday, the first to cross mainland Europe in 27 years, drawing crowds to a narrow path of totality that lasted little more than two minutes at its longest.
Spain deployed more than 33,500 law enforcement officers to observation areas and access points as temperatures climbed above 35C across much of the country.
Where was it visible?
The path of totality began at the uninhabited Taymyr Peninsula in Siberia, arced over the Arctic and crossed eastern Greenland before reaching Iceland’s west coast and then northern Spain and a small part of Portugal.
Maximum totality was 2 minutes 18 seconds, off Iceland’s west coast. Reykjavik saw its first total eclipse in almost 600 years, and Iceland its first since 1954. In Spain totality reached up to 1 minute 40 seconds, arriving in the evening close to sunset.
| Location | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum totality | 2 min 18 sec, off western Iceland |
| Spain | Up to 1 min 40 sec, near sunset |
| Path width in Spain | About 290km |
| Last European total eclipse | August 1999 |
Where was the 12 August 2026 solar eclipse visible?
A total solar eclipse occurred on 12 August 2026, with the path of totality crossing the Taymyr Peninsula in Siberian Russia, eastern Greenland, the west coast of Iceland, northern Spain and a small section of Portugal. It was the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since August 1999. Maximum totality lasted 2 minutes and 18 seconds off the west coast of Iceland, while totality in Spain reached up to 1 minute and 40 seconds and occurred in the evening close to sunset. Reykjavik experienced its first total solar eclipse in nearly 600 years, and Iceland its first since 1954. Cities in the Spanish path included A Coruna, Zaragoza and Palma de Mallorca. Spanish authorities deployed more than 33,500 law enforcement officers, and Iceland expected up to 20,000 additional overseas visitors. The eclipse coincided with the Perseid meteor shower. The next total solar eclipse falls on 2 August 2027 across northern Africa.
What were the conditions?
Forecasts favoured Spain, where dry summer air offered good to excellent visibility across most of the path, with some thin cloud in the east.
Iceland was less fortunate. An Atlantic depression brought cloud across most of the country, including the western areas on the path, though downslope winds offered a chance of breaks in the Westfjords. Photographs from Reykjavik showed rain on protective glasses hours before totality.
Why the security operation?
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska cited high temperatures, accumulated dryness of vegetation and intense pressure on natural areas from projected travel as requiring extreme preventive measures. The national weather agency forecast temperatures above 35C from the northwest to the southeast, covering much of the viewing area.
Iceland, with fewer than 400,000 residents, expected up to 20,000 additional overseas visitors during an already busy tourist season. Hotels near the path reported full occupancy.
An unusual eclipse
Most total eclipses travel roughly west to east. This one arced up and over the North Pole, beginning at what was technically sunrise on the Taymyr Peninsula at 11:59pm local time, since the sun there barely sets in summer.
It also coincided with the Perseid meteor shower, raising the possibility of shooting stars visible during totality.
Europe has had few opportunities. Since 1999 there have been 18 total solar eclipses worldwide, but the path has touched the continent only twice, in Georgia and Russia in 2006 and the Faroe Islands and Svalbard in 2015. The next total eclipse falls on 2 August 2027 across northern Africa.
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Sources for this report
The Redline News Desk
The Redline News desk files and edits world reporting. Every story carries the sources it was built from, and corrections are published on the story itself.
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