13.08.2026 02:00
The first total solar eclipse seen in Europe since 1999 was watched by millions of people. The eclipse, which lasted about 2 minutes and 18 seconds in western Iceland, was observed partially in many European cities.
The first total solar eclipse in Europe in 27 years was witnessed by millions of people. The eclipse lasted up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds, with the longest duration occurring in western Iceland.
MILLIONS WATCHED Millions of people gathered in squares, observatories, and designated official observation points along the "total solar eclipse" route extending from Iceland to Spain. Scientists used aircraft and observation systems to record and study the rare celestial event.
IT CREATED TOTAL DARKNESS LASTING UP TO TWO MINUTES The eclipse, whose path did not reach Turkey, moved from the Arctic Circle and Greenland to western Iceland, then across the Atlantic Ocean to the Iberian Peninsula. The total eclipse created complete darkness lasting up to about two minutes along a narrow band, while it was observed as a partial eclipse at varying rates across most of Europe. The eclipse was fully observed from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, a small part of Portugal, and northern parts of Russia. A partial eclipse was observed in the rest of Europe, northwestern Africa, Canada, and the northern United States.
In Iceland, the eclipse began at 16:47 local time and reached totality around 17:48. In Spain, the partial phase began around 19:30, with the Moon's full shadow passing over the country between 20:26 and 20:33 local time. Depending on the observation point, the eclipse lasted between approximately 30 seconds and about 2 minutes. In Portugal, only a small area in the northeast experienced a total eclipse lasting a few seconds around 19:30.
THE LONGEST ECLIPSE WAS OBSERVED IN ICELAND The point where the total eclipse lasted the longest was in western Iceland. There, the sun remained covered for approximately 2 minutes and 18 seconds. Due to the expected crowds, Spain established 350 official observation areas. More than 33,000 security personnel were deployed to ensure the safety of solar eclipse viewing events.
PARTIAL ECLIPSE OBSERVED IN MANY CITIES IN EUROPE Outside the path of totality, the eclipse was observed as a partial one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, and the Nordic countries. The eclipse in London began at 18:17, reached its maximum at 19:13, and covered about 92 percent of the Sun. The coverage was around 94 percent in Dublin, 92 percent in Paris, 85 percent in Berlin, and 83 percent in Oslo. The partial eclipse was also seen in some parts of Canada and the United States, as well as in northwestern Africa, in addition to Europe.
FIRST TOTAL ECLIPSE IN EUROPE SINCE 1999 A total eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's light, meaning the Moon's shadow completely covers the Sun for observers on Earth. When only part of the sunlight is blocked, a partial solar eclipse occurs. Today's eclipse was the first total eclipse observed in Europe since 1999.
PERSEID METEOR SHOWER The total eclipse coincided with the peak period of the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most regular and beloved meteor showers among observers.