Science & Space
Solar eclipse darkens Spain for first time in century
A total solar eclipse briefly darkened parts of Spain on Wednesday, giving the country its first total solar eclipse in more than a century after the same lunar shadow crossed the Arctic, Greenland and Iceland.
The eclipse began over the remote Arctic region of northern Russia, moved through parts of Greenland and then brought total darkness to Keflavik, about 50 kilometres from Reykjavik, before crossing the Atlantic toward northern Spain.
In Spain, the path of totality moved diagonally from the northern coast to the Balearic Islands. Crowds gathered along the route, including on beaches where tourists and residents watched with protective glasses.
The eclipse was also visible as a partial eclipse across Europe, as well as in Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa. Supplies of special viewing glasses were in high demand before the event.
In Iceland, tens of thousands of tourists and residents saw the country darken despite earlier fears that rain and cloud in the northwest could spoil viewing. Reykjavik had not seen a total solar eclipse since 1433, and its next one is not due until 2196.
The total phase lasted only minutes, with the Moon's shadow moving across Earth at about 3,430 kilometres per hour, according to the Paris Observatory. The partial phase lasted around one hour and 45 minutes.
NASA and the European Space Agency livestreamed the eclipse. Scientists use total eclipses to study the Sun's atmosphere and its outer corona, including solar winds and magnetic fields.
Spanish authorities prepared for large crowds. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said nearly 25,000 police officers had been mobilised, while government estimates had forecast nearly 450,000 extra tourists and a possible 347-million-euro boost to the economy.
Another total eclipse is due to cross southern Spain and northern Africa in August 2027. An annular eclipse, which leaves a visible “ring of fire” because the Moon does not fully cover the Sun, is expected over the Iberian Peninsula in 2028.
Update
Spain experienced its first total solar eclipse in more than a century.
The eclipse path crossed parts of Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic and northern Spain before reaching the Balearic Islands.
Nearly 25,000 police officers were mobilised in Spain for the event, according to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Spain had forecast nearly 450,000 extra tourists and a possible 347-million-euro economic boost from the eclipse.
Clear skies helped viewing in Spain, while clouds parted shortly before the eclipse at the Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 20:08:12 UTC.
Update
Western Iceland was plunged into complete darkness at 5:47 pm, but cloud and rain blocked many from seeing the Sun disappear.
The eclipse was visible in Reykjavik for the first time since 1433.
The total eclipse lasted about 2 minutes and 13 seconds over Latrabjarg and just over one minute in Reykjavik.
Business Iceland estimated about 75,000 foreign tourists were in Iceland on Wednesday.
More than 30 cruise ships carrying 53,000 passengers were docked off Iceland's coast.
Lighthouse Intelligence said Reykjavik was the most expensive destination worldwide to view the eclipse.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 19:47:14 UTC.
Update
The total eclipse lasted less than two minutes in Lodoso, near Burgos.
Thousands of spectators watched the eclipse in Lodoso using special safety spectacles.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 18:42:33 UTC.
Update
A large part of Spain was plunged into total darkness by the solar eclipse, according to AFP journalists.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 18:33:37 UTC.
Update
The total eclipse lasted about 2 minutes and 13 seconds over the cliffs of Latrabjarg and just over one minute in central Reykjavik.
Hotels in Reykjavik and elsewhere in Iceland were fully booked, according to RUV.
A hotel in Breidavik received its first booking for the eclipse 14 years earlier, according to RUV.
Astronomer Saevar Helgi Bragason described his mixed anticipation and disappointment before the cloudy eclipse.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 18:32:43 UTC.
Update
The Moon first blotted out the Sun at the northernmost tip of mainland Russia at about 1700 GMT.
The eclipse moved through parts of Greenland before total darkness reached Keflavik, Iceland, at 1747 GMT.
The partial eclipse began in parts of northern Spain shortly after 1730 GMT.
NASA and the European Space Agency livestreamed the eclipse.
Spanish authorities expected nearly 450,000 extra tourists and a 347-million-euro economic boost.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 18:27:18 UTC.
Update
Total darkness swept over Keflavik, southwest of Reykjavik, at 5:47 pm, or 1747 GMT.
Heavy cloud cover blocked thousands of onlookers in western Iceland from seeing the Sun disappear behind the Moon.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 18:00:25 UTC.
Update
AFP reported that the total solar eclipse plunged cloudy Iceland into darkness.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 17:49:26 UTC.
Update
The total solar eclipse briefly darkened Russia's remote Arctic north at about 1700 GMT.
The eclipse was moving south toward parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain and was expected to fade at about 1830 GMT.
AFP journalists reported the partial eclipse began in parts of northern Spain shortly after 1730 GMT.
Spain expected nearly 450,000 extra tourists and a 347-million-euro economic boost.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 17:46:14 UTC.
Update
The partial eclipse has started in several regions of Spain, according to AFP journalists.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 17:35:11 UTC.
Update
Roscosmos said the solar eclipse had started in the Russian Arctic.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 17:01:27 UTC.
Update
Spain's interior minister said nearly 25,000 police officers had been mobilised for the eclipse.
An AFP reporter said the main road from the south to Catalonia was blocked.
NASA and the European Space Agency were due to livestream the eclipse.
A British solar physicist planned to watch from a boat off Mallorca, while an Icelandic astronomer warned clouds could spoil viewing in northwest Iceland.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 13:54:12 UTC.
Update
Skywatching tourists clogged streets in some Spanish villages on Wednesday before the eclipse.
Reykjavik was set to experience its first total eclipse since 1433.
Rain and clouds were forecast to affect viewing in Iceland's Westfjords, while Spain's weather agency forecast clear skies for most of Spain.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 11:25:32 UTC.
Update
The eclipse shadow is expected to begin in remote northern Russia at around 1700 GMT and vanish over the Mediterranean at around 1830 GMT.
AEMET forecast clear skies for most of Spain while also warning of very high or extreme wildfire risk across much of the country.
Certified eclipse glasses were hard to find in some places in Spain.
Municipalities set up dedicated observation points and increased security.
Benavente had run out of accommodation and its tourism office reported about 50 calls a day from people asking where to stay or watch.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 09:46:00 UTC.
Update
The total eclipse path includes remote northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the northeastern tip of Portugal.
In Spain, the path is described as running roughly from Oviedo to Mallorca.
Burgos is expected to experience totality for one minute and 48 seconds.
NASA explains the eclipse as a result of the Sun being about 400 times bigger than the Moon and about 400 times farther away.
During totality, the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, can be visible.
Experts recommend eclipse glasses that filter ultraviolet rays and meet ISO 12312-2:2015.
A total eclipse on August 2, 2027 is expected to cross southern Spain, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Spain is also due to see an annular eclipse on January 26, 2028.
Source note: AFP news report published on 11 August 2026 at 23:04:11 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Weather conditions varied by viewing location, and cloud affected or threatened visibility in some areas.
Source
AFP news report published on .