Total solar eclipse sweeps across Europe today
Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and a little portion of Portugal will experience total darkness on Wednesday, August 12, as a solar eclipse crosses portions of Europe and the North Atlantic. For mainland Western Europe, the event will be the first total solar eclipse seen since 1999.
As it makes its way toward the Iberian Peninsula, the Moon’s shadow will first pass over the Arctic and northern Russia, then make its way across Iceland and Greenland. West of Iceland, in the North Atlantic, the eclipse will reach its maximum intensity. In Reykjavík, the maximum eclipse comes at about 5.49pm local time.
- In Spain, the spectacle arrives much closer to sunset: totality begins around 8.30pm in Valencia.
- Bilbao and Zaragoza will also fall inside the path of totality.
- Exact timings vary by location, with the total phase sweeping across Spain from roughly 8.26 pm.
Read more: The 2026 total solar eclipse: Where and how to watch it safely
Totality can last for up to about two minutes and 18 seconds, depending on location. During those few moments, the Moon will completely cover the bright face of the Sun, revealing its outer atmosphere, the corona.
Europe gears up for 12 August solar eclipse
Spain is seeing an influx of tourists due to the eclipse; the Spanish government has predicted that 10 million foreign «astrotourists» could visit the nation to witness the phenomenon. Along the road of totality, rural villages have been getting ready to welcome viewers who are venturing away from the usual coastal tourist centres.
The infrastructure is also seeing some odd effects due to the eclipse. A margin notice was issued by Britain’s electrical system operator prior to Wednesday evening due to the potential tightening of power supplies during a period of high demand caused by the abrupt decrease in solar generation.
If you're fortunate enough to be in the path of tomorrow's total solar eclipse, we're here to help you capture the moment!
— NASA (@NASA) August 11, 2026
Learn how to take the best photos with these tips from our photography experts. pic.twitter.com/dWCbNwwOrH
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