Millions turn out for solar eclipse - 24th August 2026

From Greenland to North Africa, millions gathered and stared skywards to witness a solar eclipse on 12th August.

The path of totality, within which a total eclipse occurs, swept across Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and the Balearic Islands. It's the area of land covered by the umbra, the moon's darkest shadow, as it passes directly in front of the sun. Blocking its light, the umbral shadow turned day to night for nearly two minutes.

The spectacle was well worth the trip for Matt McMullan. He's made a visit to Iceland from the USA specially for the occasion.

Matt McMullan: "It was pretty incredible. I mean, just to see that natural spectacle. Goes from day to night back to day within a few minutes. I mean, it's, it's wild. It's worth the trip."

Parts of Europe and North Africa which lay just outside the path of totality were caught in the moon's weaker, penumbral shadow. From here, a small crescent of sun remained visible behind the moon's silhouette, which created a silvery, early evening twilight.

Despite not experiencing a full eclipse, crowds still turned out to observe the movements of the heavens. Many had bought eclipse glasses or constructed pinhole viewing projectors themselves.

Although explained by early science, many societies continued to view eclipses as bad omens, or indicators that gods were displeased, into modern times.

However, they're now captivating for different reasons, as expressed by Glenn Rosa, who's a US visitor in Iceland, and local Sigridur Inga Sigurdardottir.

Glenn Rosa: "I was actually having chills in my body. I think a tear or two came out of me. So - coz I, coz I never been on this - and it, it was an, an amazing experience."

Sigridur Inga Sigurdardottir: "It was totally amazing. It was something that you will not experience in a lifetime. It was more than I thought it would be."