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Millions of people across Europe watched a spectacular total solar eclipse as the moon completely covered the sun on August 12, 2026.

Millions of people across Europe gathered to witness a spectacular total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, as the moon completely covered the sun. The path of totality passed through portions of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal, marking the first time a total solar eclipse was visible from mainland Spain since 1905. Observers in Spain noted an unusually golden solar corona, a phenomenon attributed to the setting sun's position near the horizon and smoke from nearby forest fires scattering the blue light. In Duratón, Spain, crowds gathered at a Romanesque church to experience over 1.5 minutes of totality. While a partial eclipse was visible across the northern United States, the next total solar eclipse for the contiguous United States will not occur until August 23, 2044. For those seeking to be mobile and prepared, experts recommend having backup plans for cloud cover and using safe eclipse-viewing glasses.

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