Europe's First Total Solar Eclipse in Decades Captured in Stunning Photos
On August 12, 2026, Europe witnessed its first total solar eclipse in decades, with the path of totality traversing Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. According to the European Space Agency, this marked the first total eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905. The phenomenon commenced at approximately 6 p.m. CET in northern Russia and concluded over the Mediterranean Sea by 9 p.m. Millions observed the event, many equipped with eclipse glasses. Noteworthy photographer Nauzet González documented the eclipse above Frías Castle in Burgos, Spain, collaborating with local residents for the perfect shot. Additionally, photographers Oliver Stiehler and Andrew McCarthy shared their images on Instagram, likening it to the Great North American Eclipse of 2024.
Key facts
- Europe experienced its first total solar eclipse in decades on August 12, 2026.
- The path of totality passed through Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal.
- In Spain, it was the first total solar eclipse visible from the mainland since 1905.
- The event began around 6 p.m. CET in northern Russia and ended over the Mediterranean Sea by 9 p.m.
- Millions of people ventured outdoors to witness the eclipse.
- Photographer Nauzet González captured the eclipse over Frías Castle in Burgos, Spain.
- Frías Castle was built between the 12th and 15th centuries.
- The eclipse was compared to the 2024 Great North American Eclipse.
Entities
Artists
- Nauzet González
- Oliver Stiehler
- Liron Gertsman
- Albert Dros
- Sigma Sreedharan
- AJ Smadi
- Justin Shekoski
- Andrew McCarthy
- Zayane Zakaria
- Wil Photography
- Capture the Atlas
- Rein Martens
- Pedro Moran
- Max
- Maggie Aderin
- Carole Mundell
- Anne Buckle
- Graham Jones
- Deborah Byrd
- C. Alex Young
- Daisy Dobrijevic
- Anthony Wood
- Robert Lunsford
Institutions
- European Space Agency
- American Astronomical Society
- North Carolina State University
- United Airlines
- Icelandair
- Play
- Keflavík International Airport
- Blue Lagoon
- Snæfellsjökull
- Látrabjarg
- Straumnes Lighthouse
- Bolafjall observation deck
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
- Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll
- Echolalia festival
- NASA
- Exploratorium
- Virtual Telescope Project
- Time and Date
- EarthSky
- Royal Observatory Greenwich
- Space.com
- American Meteor Society
- Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project
- Heliophysics Science Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Locations
- Europe
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Spain
- Portugal
- Russia
- Mediterranean Sea
- Frías Castle
- Burgos
- Canary Islands
- Arctic
- North Pole
- Westfjords
- Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Reykjavik
- Reykjanes peninsula
- A Coruña
- Bilbao
- Zaragoza
- Valencia
- Palma de Mallorca
- Balearic Sea
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Latrabjarg cliffs
- Alaska
- Canada
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Africa
- Egypt
- Luxor
- Mexico
- Columbia
- South Carolina
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
- Reykjavík
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Reykjanes Peninsula
- Látrabjarg
- Patreksfjörður
- Bjargtangar
- Ísafjörður
- Bolungarvík
- Hellissandur
- Ólafsvík
- Grundarfjörður
- Kirkjufell
- Svöðufoss
- Arnarstapi
- Hellnar
- Búðir
- Stykkishólmur
- Reykjanestá Lighthouse
- Garður
- Sandgerði
- Grindavík
- Sundhnúkur crater row
- Kópavogur
- Garðabær
- Hafnarfjörður
- Seltjarnarnes
- Ægisíða
- Álftanes
- Neskaupstaður
- Höfn
- Akureyri
- Nuuk
- Scoresby Sound
- Taymyr Peninsula
- Siberia
- Atlantic Ocean
- Newark
- Teruel, Spain
- Villalibado, Spain
- Manciano, Italy
- León, Spain
- Mallorca, Spain
- Valoria la Buena, Spain
- San Francisco, United States
- Cornwall, England
- Devon, England