Rare Total Solar Eclipse Captivates Viewers Across Spain, Iceland and Greenland

MADRID, Spain — A total solar eclipse crossed parts of the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday, August 12, drawing skywatchers to observatories, coastlines, parks and public viewing events.

The narrow path of totality passed through northern Russia, Arctic waters, Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain and a small corner of Portugal. Surrounding regions—including much of Europe, most of Canada, parts of the northern United States and northwestern Africa—experienced a partial eclipse.

In Spain, totality occurred shortly before sunset. Observers within the totality path briefly saw the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, called the corona, after the Moon completely covered its bright surface. Other viewers saw varying degrees of a partial eclipse depending on their location.

Images and videos of the event circulated widely online, showing the darkened Sun, the glowing corona and crowds using protective solar-viewing equipment.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun and casts its shadow on part of Earth. Although the Sun is much larger than the Moon, it is also much farther away, allowing the two objects to appear nearly the same size in the sky.

A total solar eclipse is visible only inside the path crossed by the darkest part of the Moon’s shadow, known as the umbra. Outside that narrow path, the Moon covers only part of the Sun and viewers experience a partial eclipse.

During totality, daylight briefly dims and the solar corona becomes visible. NASA said the Sun was completely covered for less than two minutes in many locations during the August 12 event and for less than two and a half minutes near the center of the eclipse path.

Why the eclipse attracted worldwide attention

Total solar eclipses are uncommon at any single location because the path of totality is narrow and moves across different parts of Earth. The August 12 event was the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999.

Spain became a major viewing destination because the totality path crossed the country near sunset. The timing created dramatic views of the eclipsed Sun low over the western horizon, although visibility varied with weather and local terrain.

Scientists also used the event to study the Sun and Earth’s atmosphere. NASA supported observations involving a high-altitude research aircraft and scientific balloons launched by student teams in Spain and Iceland.

How to view an eclipse safely

Looking directly at the Sun without suitable protection can cause permanent eye injury. During every partial phase, viewers must use safe solar-viewing glasses or a handheld viewer that complies with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.

Regular sunglasses are not safe, regardless of how dark they appear. Cameras, binoculars and telescopes require specially designed solar filters secured to the front of their optics. Eclipse glasses must not be used as a substitute for those equipment filters.

Direct viewing without eye protection is safe only during the brief period of totality, when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face. As soon as any bright portion of the Sun reappears, viewers must immediately use proper eye protection again.

People outside the path of totality must keep proper eye protection on throughout the event because the Sun is never completely covered. A pinhole projector offers a safe indirect alternative when used with the observer’s back facing the Sun.

Why eclipses do not occur every month

The Moon passes between Earth and the Sun at every new moon, but its orbit is tilted relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Most months, the Moon’s shadow passes above or below Earth. A solar eclipse occurs only when the three bodies align closely enough near the points where their orbital planes cross.

NASA lists an annular solar eclipse for February 6, 2027, followed by another total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027. The 2027 total eclipse will cross southern Spain, North Africa and parts of the Middle East.

Connect TV Channel will update this explainer if NASA or other astronomical authorities publish material corrections to the event record.