The solar eclipse was visible for millions of people in Europe on Wednesday, as viewers in Iceland, Spain and northern Portugal lined up in the best areas to watch the total eclipse—where the moon completely passes over the Sun.
Key Facts
The eclipse is expected to begin at 4:47 p.m. local time (12:47 p.m. EDT) in Reykjavik, Iceland, and the total eclipse will completely block the Sun at 5:48 p.m. local time, according to the city’s tourism organization.
The total eclipse will end in the Icelandic capital just one minute later, and the partial eclipse will completely end around 6:47 p.m.
Northern Spain and Portugal will also see the total eclipse—with a partial eclipse starting around 7:30 p.m. local time for most cities and a total eclipse blocking the Sun about an hour later, just before sunset.
Spain is expecting up to 6 million tourists to watch the astronomical event, the country’s secretary of state for science Juan Cruz told Reuters, while its interior ministry is preparing to deploy an additional 25,000 police officers and over 100 aircraft for additional security.
Other parts of Europe will see a partial eclipse block most of the Sun—Paris will see a 92% eclipse, London will see 91% and Berlin will see 85%.
The partial solar eclipse as seen in Berlin, Germany.
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People use telescopes to view the eclipse at Chasseral Peak in Switzerland.
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The partial solar eclipse begins as the Moon begins to pass in front of the Sun, as seen from Spain.
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Viewers gather at Parliament Hill in London to view the eclipse.
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Passengers on a cruise ship off the coast of Greenland watch the solar eclipse.
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Viewers line up for solar eclipse glasses in Falmouth, England.
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Researchers set up telescopes in Villalibado, Spain before Wednesday’s total solar eclipse.
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Viewers line up around a block in Weymouth, England at 6 a.m. to purchase eclipse glasses.
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Researchers collaborating with NASA prepare to livestream the total eclipse in Spain.
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A woman tries on eclipse glasses in the Netherlands as viewers try to secure protective eyewear.
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Researchers from San Francisco’s Exploratorium museum prepare for a live broadcast of the total solar eclipse in Villalibado, Spain.
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What to Watch For
Most of North America will miss the total eclipse, but a partial eclipse will still be visible for viewers in some parts of the U.S. and Canada. The eclipse will cover 37% of the Sun covered in Fairbanks, Alaska, 53% in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, 31% in Halifax, Nova Scotia and 28% in Fairbanks, Alaska. Other parts of the continent will see the moon cover a much smaller portion of the Sun, including 18% in Montreal, 16% in Boston and 10% in New York City.
