MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse traversed the Russian Arctic before continuing over parts of Europe. The event commenced around 17:00 GMT over Russia’s remote northern regions. Roscosmos announced that the Moon’s shadow entered the high Arctic, marking the start. The eclipse then moved across the Arctic Ocean, eastern Greenland, and western Iceland, eventually reaching northern Spain and a small section of northeastern Portugal near sunset.
The peak of the eclipse occurred over the North Atlantic at 17:45:53.8 UTC. According to NASA, maximum totality lasted approximately two minutes and 18 seconds. The central trajectory spanned about 294 kilometers at that point. During totality, the Moon entirely covered the Sun’s luminous surface, revealing the solar corona around the dark lunar disk. Regions outside the central path experienced a partial eclipse, not complete darkness.
The shadow first touched northern Russia, then moved westward across the Arctic, crossing eastern Greenland and passing over western Iceland before heading into the Atlantic. Reykjavík was within the totality zone, although clouds hindered views in the Icelandic capital. As the Sun lowered in the sky, the eclipse advanced toward the Iberian Peninsula, with northern Spain becoming one of the last significant populated areas to witness totality.
Path of totality crosses Arctic and Atlantic regions
In Spain, the eclipse occurred late in the day, just before sunset in many locations. It marked the first total solar eclipse over the country in over a century. Crowds gathered in northern and central Spain to observe the Moon obscuring the Sun. Due to the Sun’s low position, the eclipse appeared near the western horizon. Clear skies in several areas allowed spectators to witness the full event before daylight returned.
Weather varied along the eclipse’s route. In Iceland, including Reykjavík, clouds and rain limited the direct view in some places, while others enjoyed better conditions. During the partial phases, the Moon only covered part of the Sun, leaving daylight intact. These phases lasted longer than totality and spanned a broader region. Europe, northwestern Africa, and parts of North America experienced partial solar eclipses.
Final European phase during the eclipse
Observers outside the totality zone needed reliable solar protection throughout the partial eclipse. Certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters were essential to prevent eye damage. These protective measures could only be removed during totality when the Moon fully covered the Sun’s disk. As the Sun reemerged, viewers had to put their protection back on, applying the same safety rules before and after totality, regardless of whether they experienced a partial or total eclipse.
The Moon’s shadow exited Europe after passing near sunset across the Iberian Peninsula. Along the route of totality, regions included northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and northeastern Portugal. Larger parts of Europe, Africa, and North America observed only partial phases. This eclipse on August 12 followed the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse over North America. Unlike that event, the 2026 eclipse centered on the Arctic, North Atlantic, and western Europe, creating a continuous path connecting distant regions.