MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse was visible across the Russian Arctic before progressing into Europe. The event’s origin was over remote northern Russian territories around 17:00 GMT. Roscosmos documented the beginning as the Moon’s shadow entered the high Arctic. The eclipse pathway then extended over the Arctic Ocean, eastern Greenland, and western Iceland, ultimately reaching northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal near sunset.
The eclipse reached its peak phase over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. According to NASA, the maximum totality lasted approximately two minutes and 18 seconds. The central path spanned about 294 kilometers at that point. During totality, the Moon entirely obscured the Sun’s luminous surface, revealing the solar corona around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside the core pathway experienced a partial eclipse, not complete darkness.
Initially, the shadow appeared in northern Russia and then moved westward across the Arctic. It crossed eastern Greenland, then passed over western Iceland before entering the Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavík was within the totality zone, though cloud cover hampered the view in the Icelandic capital. As the Sun descended lower in the sky, the eclipse continued toward the Iberian Peninsula. Northern Spain became one of the last major populated regions to experience totality.
Totality passes over Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurred late in the day, with many locations witnessing totality just before sunset. This event marked the country’s first total solar eclipse in over a hundred years. Observers across northern and central Spain gathered to watch the Moon cover the Sun, which was positioned low on the western horizon. Clearer skies in several areas allowed viewers to witness the full eclipse phase before daylight resumed.
Weather conditions varied along the eclipse route. In Iceland, including Reykjavík, clouds and rain limited direct observation. Other sites along the path enjoyed better visibility. During the partial eclipse phases, only part of the Sun was covered by the Moon, and daylight persisted. These phases lasted longer than totality and extended over a broader region. Europe, northwestern Africa, and parts of North America experienced some level of partial solar eclipse.
Final European phase of the eclipse
Spectators outside the totality corridor needed proper eye protection during the partial phases. Certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters were essential to prevent eye damage. These could only be removed during the moments of totality when the Moon completely blocked the Sun. As soon as the Sun reappeared, viewers had to put their protective gear back on. The same safety precautions applied before and after totality, even in areas where only a partial eclipse was visible.
Following the crossing of the Iberian Peninsula near sunset, the Moon’s shadow exited Europe. Regions along the totality path included northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal. While a broader region across Europe, Africa, and North America experienced partial phases, the August 12 eclipse linked distant locations across the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe in a single, continuous path. This event followed the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse across North America, with 2026’s event emphasizing northern and western Europe and the Arctic.