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- Solar eclipse starts in Arctic
- Total solar eclipse plunges cloudy Iceland into darkness
- A large swathe of Spain plunged into total darkness by solar eclipse
- Another total eclipse in Spain in August 2027
Thank you for following FRANCE 24's liveblog covering the total solar eclipse.
🌒 Another total eclipse in Spain in August 2027
This event was the first in a series of three eclipses that will cross the Iberian Peninsula over the next three years.
📸 In pictures: the eclipse seen across Europe
People watch a partial solar eclipse at Northala Fields, London, on 12 August 2026. © AP
People watch the solar eclipse at Olympic Park in Munich on August 12, 2026. © Fariha Farooqui, Reuters
The partial solar eclipse as seen from Ombrée d'Anjou, France, on 12 August 2026.
Beachgoers watch a solar eclipse as the moon partially covers the sun and briefly dims the afternoon light along the coast of Fregene, near Rome, on August 12, 2026. © Guglielmo Mangiapane, Reuters
The Lakhta Centre business tower and Gazprom Arena stadium are pictured during a partial solar eclipse in Saint Petersburg on August 12, 2026. © Marina Lystseva, Reuters
The moon completely covers the sun during a total solar eclipse as seen from the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory in in Arcos de las Salinas, near Teruel, Spain, on August 12, 2026. © Christian Hartmann, Reuters
🎥 Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness
On Wednesday evening, millions of Europeans and enthusiasts from around the world gazed up at the sky in wonder as a rare total solar eclipse took place over northern Spain.
FRANCE 24's correspondent Sarah Morris has more from Segovia, Spain ⤵️
🎥 City of Segovia, Spain plunged into darkness
© Pauline Rouquette, FRANCE 24
Parts of Spain plunged into darkness for two minutes
A large part of Spain switched from daylight into total darkness as the Moon covered the Sun, as thousands of spectators across the country looked on.
The total eclipse lasted less than two minutes in Lodoso, near Burgos, to the delight of thousands of people observing the phenomenon using special spectacles for safety, an AFP journalist at the scene said.
The "diamond ring" effect appears as the moon moves across the sun during a total solar eclipse, as seen from El Arenal beach in Mallorca on August 12, 2026. © Francisco Ubilla, Reuters
A large swathe of Spain plunged into total darkness by solar eclipse
The moon completely covers the sun during a total solar eclipse, as seen from Arija, Spain, on 12 August 2026. © Reuters
📸 Start of partial eclipse in several regions of Spain
The partial solar eclipse reached several regions in northern Spain, AFP journalists at Burgos, Tarragona and Colmenar Viejo near Madrid noted.
Several hundred people including many visitors from abroad and all wearing special protective glasses, gathered to watch the phenomenon in a field at Lodoso, near Burgos, an AFP journalist said.
David Garcia uses a sextant during the watch party for the solar eclipse, in Buitrago del Lozoya on August 12, 2026. © Susana Vera, Reuters
People wear protective glasses during the watch party for the solar eclipse, in Buitrago del Lozoya on August 12, 2026. © Susana Vera, Reuters
Artists use self-made artefacts to observe a solar eclipse before totality near the small village of Castell de Cabres on August 12, 2026. © Eva Manez, Reuters
© Pauline Rouquette, FRANCE 24
Total solar eclipse plunges cloudy Iceland into darkness
The total solar eclipse plunged western Iceland into darkness, though heavy cloud cover blocked thousands of curious onlookers from seeing the sun disappear behind the moon, according to an AFP journalist.
Total darkness swept over Keflavik, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) southwest of the capital Reykjavik, at 5:47pm.
People gather to observe the total solar eclipse, as clouds cover the sky, in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 12, 2026. © Denis Balibouse, Reuters
Solar eclipse begins in parts of mainland France and Spain
📸 Parisians gather to watch the eclipse
People gather to watch the partial solar eclipse over Paris in Parc André-Citroën. © Amélia Maradas, FRANCE 24
Solar eclipse starts in Arctic
A total solar eclipse, which will briefly plunge part of Europe into daytime darkness, began over a remote region of the Arctic, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.
The rare astronomical event started at around 1700 GMT at the northernmost tip of mainland Russia and is set to cross the northern hemisphere, passing over Greenland before moving across the Atlantic Ocean.
A total solar eclipse begins in the Arctic on August 12, 2026 as seen on Icelandic broadcaster RÚV .
🎥 Preparations ongoing in Spain for total solar eclipse
Across a swath of northern and central Spain, millions of people will have some of mainland Europe's best views of the celestial spectacle.
FRANCE 24's correspondent Sarah Morris reports from Segovia, Spain ⤵️
🕶️🌒 In France, certified eclipse glasses are in high demand
📸 Tourists and residents are getting ready for the eclipse in Segovia, Spain
© Pauline Rouquette, FRANCE 24
☀️ Clear skies and high temperatures in France
On Wednesday evening in mainland France the sky will be mostly clear, offering perfect conditions for observing the total solar eclipse.
At around 8pm, when the sun will momentarily be obscured by the moon, temperatures are expected to remain “very high across many regions, particularly in the west, often ranging between 30 and 35°C, and between 25 and 28°C along the English Channel”, according to the national weather forecaster.
🌒 FRANCE 24's Pauline Rouquette is in Segovia, Spain
"Visitors might consider the area around the Alcázar of Segovia as a vantage point," she said. "The castle will be closed at the time of totality, but the area around the Alcázar is publicly recognised as a good spot from which to view the Eclipse."
