The moon cast a shadow across the sun on August 12, 2026, providing a dramatic celestial display for viewers across Europe. In the United Kingdom, the eclipse began in Scotland at 18:08 BST, with Londoners observing first contact at 18:17 BST. The event was set to last until 20:10 BST in the capital.
Large portions of northern and central Spain, a section of Portugal, and areas of Greenland and Iceland experienced a total solar eclipse. For the UK, the eclipse reached its peak coverage of approximately 96% about an hour after first contact, leading to a noticeable dimming of daylight and a drop in temperature in many locations.
This event marked the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. The next significant solar phenomenon visible in the UK is not expected until 2050, with the next total solar eclipse anticipated in 2090.
Spectators observed the eclipse from various vantage points, including cruise ships off the coast of Greenland, where the moon's passage between the Earth and the sun was clearly visible.
In the Netherlands, nearly 90 percent of the sun was obscured by the moon at the eclipse's peak.
As the moon traversed the face of the sun, the International Space Station was also captured in silhouette, moving at approximately five miles per second.
Viewers gathered at popular lookout points to witness the rare spectacle. Holidaymakers on El Arenal beach in Mallorca were seen preparing with protective eyewear.
The event provided a significant natural spectacle, with images capturing the moon directly in front of the sun.
Passengers aboard the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition also observed the eclipse off the coast of Greenland.
