Spain darkens as solar eclipse races south from Arctic
Spain darkens as solar eclipse races south from Arctic
The eclipse cast its shadow over Greenland before moving south across Iceland and the Atlantic towards northern Spain – the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 2006.
Tens of thousands gathered in Iceland, where fears that rain might spoil the spectacle gave way to darkness. Reykjavik had not seen a total solar eclipse since 1433 – and will not see another until 2196.
Supplies of special viewing glasses were in high demand as a partial eclipse was visible across Europe, as well as in Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa.
The Moon’s shadow swept diagonally across Spain from the northern coast to the Balearic Islands, where tourists and locals gathered on beaches to watch the spectacle.
Clear skies helped visibility in Spain, where nearly 450,000 extra tourists were expected to visit for the rare celestial spectacle.
On the summit of the Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees, heavy clouds parted just minutes before the eclipse, allowing visitors to see the spectacle. Crowds also gathered in London, Paris and across Europe.
Spain mobilised nearly 25,000 police officers for the event, while authorities remained alert to high temperatures and the continuing risk of wildfires as crowds gathered along the narrow path of totality.
