Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic

Millions across Europe witness rare solar eclipse

Millions of people across Europe and the Arctic witnessed the most significant solar eclipse in nearly three decades on Wednesday evening, as the moon passed directly between the Earth and the sun.

The path of totality, where the sun was completely hidden by the moon, began over northern Siberia at sunrise, crossed the Arctic Ocean, Greenland and Iceland, before sweeping across northern Spain and ending near the Balearic Islands at sunset.

In Iceland, the first total eclipse since 1954 plunged the capital Reykjavik into darkness for around a minute and a half, despite cloudy conditions. The next total eclipse visible from Iceland will not occur for another 170 years.

In the UK, the eclipse was partial but still dramatic, with between 88% and 96% of the sun covered by the moon. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly saw the deepest coverage at around 95% to 96%, making it the most impressive solar eclipse visible from the UK since August 1999.

The eclipse began in the UK just after 6pm, with maximum coverage reached between 7.05pm and 7.16pm depending on location. The whole event lasted approximately two hours.

Crowds gathered at vantage points across the country, including Glastonbury Tor, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, and beaches in Cornwall, where clear skies provided an unobstructed view. In Edinburgh, people gathered on Calton Hill, while in Belfast the street lights came on as the sky darkened.

Experts repeatedly warned the public not to look directly at the sun, as even a small amount of sunlight can cause permanent eye damage. Certified eclipse glasses, marked with the ISO 12312-2 standard, were recommended, but supplies ran short across the country, with many retailers selling out.

Alternative safe viewing methods included pinhole projectors and kitchen colanders, which project multiple small images of the sun onto a surface. People were also advised to avoid using regular sunglasses, binoculars or telescopes without proper solar filters.

In northern Spain, where the total eclipse was visible, an estimated 450,000 to 500,000 people travelled to witness the spectacle. The city of Burgos was among the best viewing locations, with clear skies allowing observers to see the sun's corona, its shimmering outer atmosphere, during the brief period of totality.

The eclipse also provided a rare scientific opportunity. NASA-funded scientists in Iceland launched weather balloons to measure changes in temperature, pressure, humidity and wind at the edge of the stratosphere during the eclipse, data that could improve weather forecasting in the future.

For many, the eclipse was an emotional experience. Observers described feeling the temperature drop, seeing the light take on an eerie quality, and hearing birds fall silent as the sky darkened.

The UK will not see another eclipse of this magnitude until 2081, with a total eclipse visible from parts of the UK expected in 2090.