MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse traversed the Russian Arctic before crossing into European regions. The phenomenon initiated over the remote northern parts of Russia around 17:00 GMT. Roscosmos documented the beginning as the Moon’s shadow entered the high Arctic. From there, the eclipse’s path continued across the Arctic Ocean, through eastern Greenland, and into western Iceland. Later, it reached northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal during sunset.
The eclipse reached its maximum phase over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. Calculations from NASA indicated that totality lasted approximately two minutes and 18 seconds. At this point, the central corridor measured around 294 kilometers in width. During the total eclipse, the Moon completely obscured the Sun’s bright surface, revealing the solar corona around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside the central path experienced only partial eclipse, resulting in less than complete darkness.
Initially, the shadow reached northern Russia and then moved westward across the Arctic. It crossed eastern Greenland before passing over western Iceland and continued into the Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavík was situated within the totality zone, although cloud cover affected visibility. As the Sun descended toward the horizon, the eclipse advanced toward the Iberian Peninsula. Northern Spain emerged as one of the last major inhabited areas to witness totality.
Totality sweeps across Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurred late in the day, with totality happening just before sunset in many locations. This event marked the nation’s first total solar eclipse in over a hundred years. Thousands gathered across northern and central Spain to observe the Moon covering the Sun. Due to the Sun’s low position in the sky, the eclipse was close to the western horizon. Better weather conditions in several areas allowed viewers to observe the entire event before daylight resumed.
Weather conditions varied along the eclipse’s route. Cloud and rain impeded direct observation in parts of Iceland, including Reykjavík. Conversely, other locations along the path enjoyed clearer skies. During the partial phases, only part of the Sun was obscured by the Moon, and daylight persisted. These partial phases lasted longer than totality and covered a wider region. Europe, northwestern Africa, and sections of North America all experienced some degree of partial eclipse.
Final European segment of the eclipse observed in Spain
Observers outside the totality corridor were advised to use proper solar protection during the partial phases. Certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters were essential to safeguard eyesight from direct sunlight. Such protection could only be removed during the brief period of totality, when the Moon fully blocked the Sun. As soon as the Sun reappeared, viewers had to reapply their protective measures. This safety guideline applied throughout the event, including regions where only partial eclipse was visible.
The Moon’s shadow exited Europe after passing over the Iberian Peninsula near sunset. Along the route of totality, areas included northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal. A much broader region across Europe, Africa, and North America experienced only partial phases. The August 12 eclipse followed the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse across North America. In contrast, the 2026 event primarily focused on the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, forming a continuous path connecting distant regions in one event.