Total Eclipse of the Sun

Millions of people from Greenland to Spain were looking up at the sky on 12th August. They watched day become night as the moon passed in front of the sun.

The total solar eclipse was seen from Greenland and Iceland to Spain. This was where the sun's light was completely blocked by the moon. Its shadow created a spot of darkness on the Earth below.

It was an incredible sight for American Matt McMullan. He's pleased that he made the journey to Iceland.

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."

For locations around the total eclipse, the moon still covered most of the sun. This is called a partial eclipse. It didn't get very dark, but people still went outside to watch.

Many people used eclipse glasses. Others had made pinhole viewing boxes to see the event.

How an eclipse happens isn't a mystery. But until recently, they were still frightening. In some cultures, they were warnings about the future. In others, they were how gods showed their anger.

Today, they're special moments. In Iceland, American visitor Glenn Rosa and local resident Sigridur Inga Sigurdardottir were amazed by the experience.

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." View Less