Total solar eclipse plunges parts of Spain and Iceland into darkness

A total solar eclipse darkened parts of Spain and Iceland on Wednesday, while millions of people across Europe and elsewhere watched a partial eclipse, ERR reported. Estonia will not see a total solar eclipse until 2126.

In Estonia, the eclipse reached its peak in Tallinn at 8.53pm, when the Moon covered more than 80 percent of the solar disc. A total eclipse occurred in Iceland shortly before 9pm and in Spain several minutes later.

The partial eclipse was visible to millions of Europeans, as well as people in Canada, the northern United States and northwestern Africa.

In Spain, where the total eclipse was most clearly visible, the Moon’s shadow crossed the country diagonally from the northern Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean. It disappeared at about 9.30pm Estonian time.

The total eclipse lasted less than two minutes near Lodoso, close to Burgos, and was watched by thousands of people wearing special glasses for safety, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.

The shadow began in Russia’s remote Arctic north at about 8pm Estonian time before travelling in an arc over Greenland and Iceland.

Western Iceland was plunged into darkness, although thick cloud prevented thousands of spectators from seeing the Sun disappear behind the Moon. Darkness fell on Keflavik, about 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavik, at 8.47pm Estonian time.

The last total solar eclipse visible in Europe occurred on August 11, 1999.