On Wednesday, Europe experienced its first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Many flocked to witness it — even though parts of the continent were only able to view a partial eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking the view of the sun. Today, roughly one billion people experienced fully or partially dark skies as the rare event took place. Spain, parts of Portugal, Greenland, Iceland and northern Russia experienced the total solar eclipse, the first in mainland Europe since 1999. Meanwhile, the rest of Europe saw a partial solar eclipse, as did Canada, northwestern Africa and parts of the northern U.S.
London's Royal Observatory Greenwich was one such place to host a watch party for the eclipse. Thanks to clear skies, the celestial event was easy to view — though many people struggled to find and purchase eclipse glasses ahead of the event in order to safely witness it.
Check out photos from the eclipse watch parties below.
People wear protective glasses to observe a partial solar eclipse in Prague, Czech Republic, August 12, 2026.
A fan uses his mobile phone to take a video of the solar eclipse prior to the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England.
People gather in El Cerro del Tio Pio park in Madrid to observe the total solar eclipse, on August 12, 2026. to the Mediterranean Sea, where it will vanish at around 1830 GMT.
People watch the solar eclipse at Olympic Park in Munich, Germany, August 12, 2026.
A video feed of the solar eclipse is shown on a stadium display before the UEFA Super Cup soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.
A beachgoer wearing special eclipse glasses looks up during the beginning phase of a solar eclipse at Puerto de Sagunto beach near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.
A sunflower field is silhouetted as the moon moves across the sun during a solar eclipse in Osorno, Spain, August 12, 2026.
People observe the total solar eclipse from the Arenal beach in Llucmajor, on the Balearic island of Mallorca, on August 12, 2026.
The moon completely covers the sun during a total solar eclipse as seen from the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory in Arcos de las Salinas, near Teruel, Spain, August 12, 2026.
