Rare total solar eclipse darkens skies across parts of Europe

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 14, 2026

Photo courtesy: AFP News Agency

A total solar eclipse swept across parts of Europe on August 12, sending Iceland, northern Spain and portions of Greenland briefly into darkness while millions of others watched a partial eclipse from France and the United Kingdom.

The eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth, blocking out sunlight. During a total solar eclipse, the moon fully covers the sun for a short period, while areas outside the path of totality see only a partial eclipse.

In Iceland and northern Spain, the sky went dark for less than two minutes as the moon completely blocked the sun, an event that left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.

In Paris, crowds gathered at Les Invalides and other viewing sites across the city to observe the partial eclipse. In the United Kingdom, spectators also turned out in London, where more than 90 percent of the sun was obscured by the moon in parts of the country. It was described as the largest solar eclipse witnessed in the UK in nearly three decades.

The eclipse marked the first time a total solar eclipse has been visible from mainland Europe since 1999, and the first time Spain has witnessed one in more than a century, according to the source material provided.

The eclipse is one of three total solar eclipses expected to be visible in different parts of the world between 2026 and 2028.