MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse journeyed across the Russian Arctic before heading towards Europe. The event initiated over remote northern regions of Russia around 17:00 GMT. Roscosmos confirmed that the Moon’s shadow entered the high Arctic at that time. The eclipse path then extended over the Arctic Ocean, eastern Greenland, and western Iceland. It eventually reached northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal near sunset.
The eclipse’s maximum phase was observed over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. According to NASA, the totality lasted approximately two minutes and 18 seconds. The central corridor measured around 294 kilometers at its widest point. During this phase, the Moon entirely obscured the Sun’s luminous surface, making the solar corona visible around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside this central path experienced only a partial eclipse, not complete darkness.
Initially, the shadow reached northern Russia and then moved westward across the Arctic, crossing eastern Greenland before passing over western Iceland and continuing into the Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavík was within the totality zone, although cloud cover affected viewing conditions in the Icelandic capital. Moving southward, the eclipse approached the Iberian Peninsula as the Sun lowered in the sky, with northern Spain becoming one of the last major populated areas to witness totality.
Totality crosses Arctic and Atlantic regions
The eclipse appeared over Spain late in the day, with many locations experiencing totality just before sunset. This event marked Spain’s first total solar eclipse in over a century. Crowds gathered across northern and central Spain to observe the Moon blocking the Sun. Due to the Sun’s low position, the eclipse occurred near the western horizon. Clear skies in several Spanish areas allowed viewers to witness the full phase before daylight faded.
Weather conditions varied along the eclipse route. In Iceland, including Reykjavík, cloud and rain limited direct viewing, although other locations along the path enjoyed better visibility. During the partial phases, only part of the Sun was covered by the Moon, leaving daylight intact. These phases lasted longer than totality and covered a broader area. Europe, northwestern Africa, and parts of North America experienced partial solar eclipses of varying degrees.
Final European phase occurs as the Moon’s shadow departs
Observers outside the totality corridor required proper eye protection throughout the partial eclipse. Certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters safeguarded viewers from direct sunlight. Eye protection could only be removed during totality when the Moon completely covered the Sun’s disk. As soon as the Sun reappeared, protective gear had to be replaced. This safety protocol was valid before and after totality, including areas where only a partial eclipse was visible.
After crossing the Iberian Peninsula near sunset, the Moon’s shadow exited Europe, passing over northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal along its route of totality. Broader regions across Europe, Africa, and North America experienced only the partial phases. The August 12 eclipse followed the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse across North America. Unlike that event, which focused on North America, the 2026 eclipse emphasized the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, linking distant regions along a continuous path.