From Iceland and Greenland to Spain and other parts of Europe, people looked to the sky Wednesday as the August 12 total solar eclipse transformed daylight into an extraordinary celestial display. Images and videos shared throughout the day captured the Sun disappearing behind the Moon, brilliant crescents in partially eclipsed regions, and the dramatic darkness of totality.
The total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026 swept across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the North Atlantic, northern Spain and a small part of Portugal. Many other locations across Europe, Canada and parts of the northern United States experienced a partial eclipse instead.
A Rare Moment of Total Darkness
Along the narrow path of totality, the Moon completely covered the Sun, briefly revealing the solar corona and turning the late-afternoon sky unusually dark.
The longest period of totality lasted approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds, with the maximum occurring over the North Atlantic west of Iceland.
Iceland was one of the major viewing locations. Reykjavík experienced totality in the late afternoon, while observers gathered across the country hoping for breaks in the clouds.
Spain Watched the Sun Disappear Near Sunset
Some of the most dramatic scenes came from Spain, where the eclipse arrived close to sunset.
Northern Spanish cities including A Coruña, Bilbao and Zaragoza, along with other locations in the totality path, watched the Sun disappear completely behind the Moon. Madrid and Barcelona remained just outside the path of totality and experienced a deep partial eclipse.
For parts of Spain, it was the first total solar eclipse visible in more than a century, making Wednesday’s event particularly significant for local skywatchers.
Much of Europe Saw a Partial Eclipse
Outside the narrow band of totality, millions still witnessed an impressive partial eclipse.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, roughly 90 percent or more of the Sun was obscured in many locations, creating a striking crescent as the Moon crossed in front of it.
Partial phases were also visible across much of Europe and parts of northwestern Africa and northern North America.
Images From Across the Eclipse Path
Social media quickly filled with photographs and video showing the eclipse from different locations and perspectives — from thin solar crescents to the spectacular black disk of the Moon surrounded by the Sun’s corona during totality.
The videos and images accompanying this story were shared on X by Disclose.tv, Shaun McKnight, WxNB, Astrofalls and MightyDylanK.
Image and Video Sources
Disclose.tv — X/Twitter
Bray Falls — X/Twitter
WxNB — X/Twitter
MightyDylanK — X/Twitter
Additional astronomical information: NASA, National Solar Observatory, Reuters and Timeanddate.
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