MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse traversed the Russian Arctic before advancing toward the European continent. The phenomenon commenced over isolated northern regions of Russia around 17:00 GMT. Roscosmos documented the beginning as the Moon’s shadow entered the high Arctic. From there, the path extended across the Arctic Ocean, then moved through eastern Greenland and western Iceland. It ultimately reached northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal during sunset.
Maximum eclipse occurred over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. According to NASA, the totality lasted approximately two minutes and 18 seconds. The central line of the eclipse spanned about 294 kilometers at its peak. During totality, the Moon entirely covered the Sun’s bright surface, revealing the solar corona around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside the main path experienced only a partial eclipse, not complete darkness.
Initially, the shadow appeared over northern Russia, then moved westward across the Arctic. It crossed eastern Greenland before passing over western Iceland and continuing into the Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavík fell within the total eclipse zone, although cloud cover impeded visibility in the Icelandic capital. As the Sun lowered in the sky, the eclipse shifted toward the Iberian Peninsula. Northern Spain was among the last major populated areas to witness totality.
Totality travels across Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurred late in the day, with many locations experiencing totality shortly before sunset. This event marked the first total solar eclipse in the country in over a hundred years. Crowds gathered across northern and central regions to observe the Moon covering the Sun. Due to the Sun’s low position, the eclipse was close to the western horizon. Clearer skies in multiple Spanish locations allowed viewers to witness the complete phase before daylight ended.
Weather conditions varied along the eclipse route. In parts of Iceland, including Reykjavík, clouds and rain limited direct observation. Elsewhere along the path, visibility was better. During the partial phases, the Moon covered only a section of the Sun, leaving daylight visible. These phases lasted longer than totality and affected a wider area. Europe, northwestern Africa, and segments of North America experienced some degree of partial eclipse.
Final European segment of the eclipse
Viewers outside the totality zone had to use appropriate solar protection throughout the partial phases. Certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters were essential for safe viewing. Protection was only removed during the brief totality when the Moon fully obscured the Sun. Once sunlight returned, observers needed to replace their eye protection immediately. The same safety measures applied before and after totality, even in areas where only partial eclipse was visible.
After crossing the Iberian Peninsula near sunset, the Moon’s shadow left Europe. The route of totality included northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal. A much larger region across Europe, Africa, and North America experienced only the partial phases. This eclipse on August 12 followed the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse over North America. Unlike that event, which centered on North America, the 2026 eclipse mainly focused on the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, connecting distant regions through a continuous path.