MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, the shadow of a total solar eclipse traced a path across the Arctic regions of Russia, Iceland, and Spain before reaching the Iberian Peninsula. The phenomenon commenced over the remote northern territories of Russia around 17:00 GMT, when Roscosmos reported the Moon’s shadow entering the high Arctic. This darkening then advanced over the Arctic Ocean, moving across eastern Greenland and western Iceland, before culminating in northern Spain and a small northeastern section of Portugal as the Sun set.
The eclipse’s peak occurred over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. According to NASA, the maximum duration of totality was approximately two minutes and 18 seconds, with the central corridor spanning about 294 kilometers at that point. During this total phase, the Moon completely obscured the Sun’s luminous surface, revealing the solar corona around the lunar disk’s edges. Areas outside this central zone experienced a partial eclipse, with only part of the Sun covered, preventing complete darkness.
Initially, the shadow touched northern Russia, then moved westward across the Arctic, crossing eastern Greenland before passing over western Iceland and continuing into the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Reykjavík was situated within the eclipse’s totality zone, though cloud cover hindered visibility in the Icelandic capital. As the Sun descended lower in the sky, the shadow moved toward the Iberian Peninsula, with northern Spain becoming one of the last major populated regions to see the total eclipse.
Totality crosses Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurred late in the afternoon, with many locations experiencing totality just before sunset. This event marked Spain’s first total solar eclipse in over a century. Citizens gathered across northern and central parts of the country to observe the Moon covering the Sun, which was low on the horizon, creating a close-to-the-western-sky view. Favorable weather in several Spanish areas allowed viewers to witness the entire eclipse phase before the Sun re-emerged.
Weather variability was evident along the eclipse route. Cloudiness and rain obstructed direct viewing from some parts of Iceland, including Reykjavík. However, other locations along the path enjoyed clearer skies. During the partial phases, the Moon only obscured part of the Sun, leaving daylight intact. These phases lasted longer than totality and covered a broader region. Europe, northwestern Africa, and sections of North America experienced varying degrees of partial solar eclipse.
Final European segment of the eclipse
Observers outside the totality corridor had to use proper eye protection during the partial eclipse, such as certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters, to guard against solar rays. These protections could only be removed during the brief window of totality when the Moon fully covered the Sun. Once the Sun reappeared, viewers needed to replace their eye protection immediately. This safety guideline applied before and after totality, even in areas where only a partial eclipse was visible.
After crossing the Iberian Peninsula near sunset, the Moon’s shadow moved beyond Europe, affecting northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal along the totality path. Meanwhile, a much larger region across Europe, Africa, and North America experienced partial phases of the eclipse. This August 12 event followed the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse across North America. Unlike that event, which centered on North America, the 2026 eclipse predominantly traced the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, linking distant regions within a continuous eclipse pathway.