MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse traversed the Russian Arctic before progressing into European skies. The event commenced over the isolated northern regions of Russia around 17:00 GMT. Roscosmos documented the beginning as the Moon’s shadow entered the high Arctic, with the eclipse path continuing across the Arctic Ocean, eastern Greenland, and western Iceland. It eventually reached northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal near sunset.
At 17:45:53.8 UTC, the eclipse achieved its maximum phase over the North Atlantic. NASA estimates indicated that totality lasted approximately two minutes and 18 seconds, with the central corridor spanning about 294 kilometers at that moment. During the peak, the Moon entirely obscured the Sun’s luminous surface, revealing the solar corona around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside this central zone experienced partial eclipses instead of complete darkness.
Initially, the shadow touched northern Russia before drifting westward across the Arctic, crossing eastern Greenland and passing over western Iceland before heading into the Atlantic. Reykjavík lay within the path of totality, though clouds hindered the viewing experience in the Icelandic capital. As the Sun lowered in the sky, the eclipse moved toward the Iberian Peninsula, with northern Spain becoming one of the last major populated areas to witness totality.
Totality crosses Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurred late in the day, with many locations experiencing totality just prior to sunset. This event marked the country’s first total solar eclipse in over a hundred years, drawing crowds across northern and central Spain eager to observe the Moon’s coverage of the Sun. The low solar position placed the eclipse near the western horizon, but clearer skies in several areas allowed spectators to witness the full phase before daylight resumed.
Weather conditions varied along the eclipse route; clouds and rain limited direct viewing from parts of Iceland, including Reykjavík, while other locations along the path enjoyed better visibility. During the partial phases, the Moon covered only a portion of the Sun, leaving daylight intact. These phases lasted longer than totality and covered a broader area, with Europe, northwestern Africa, and sections of North America experiencing some degree of partial eclipse.
Final European phase reaches Spain
For those outside the totality zone, proper solar protection such as certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters was essential during the partial phases. Viewers could remove their eye protection only during totality when the Moon completely covered the Sun, but had to reapply it immediately afterward as the Sun reappeared. This safety protocol applied both before and after totality, even in areas where only a partial eclipse was visible.
As the Moon’s shadow exited Europe after crossing the Iberian Peninsula near sunset, the eclipse path included northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal. A much larger region across Europe, Africa, and North America observed only the partial eclipse. Following the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse across North America, the 2026 event centered on the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, connecting several distant regions along a continuous path.