BURGOS, Spain: A total solar eclipse in Spain briefly turned day into darkness on Wednesday, marking the country’s first such event in more than a century.
The eclipse reached Spain after its shadow crossed parts of Greenland and Iceland before moving across the Atlantic. In northern Spain, the path of totality extended diagonally toward the Balearic Islands.
Crowds gathered along the route wearing protective viewing glasses as the Moon completely covered the Sun. The Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, became visible around the Moon during totality.
A partial eclipse was also visible across wider parts of Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa. Crowds gathered in cities including London and Paris, while observers in the French Pyrenees benefited from clouds clearing shortly before the event.
Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years captivates spectators in Iceland and Spain https://t.co/A3TMorDd0b pic.twitter.com/xtgKEha3fL
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2026The lunar shadow travelled 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 (ESA) livestreamed the eclipse. Scientists use total eclipses to study the Sun’s atmosphere, including its corona, solar winds and magnetic field.
Read: 2026 Total Solar Eclipse Crosses Europe on August 12
Spain had prepared for a major influx of visitors. Government estimates projected nearly 450,000 additional tourists and an economic impact of about 347 million euros, while Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said nearly 25,000 police officers were mobilised.
Another total solar eclipse is due to cross southern Spain and northern Africa in August 2027. An annular “ring of fire” eclipse is expected over the Iberian Peninsula in 2028.
