Millions witness Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years

Millions of people gathered in Iceland and northern Spain on Wednesday to witness Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years, as the Moon briefly blocked the Sun and plunged parts of the region into darkness.

Authorities in Spain expected up to 6 million visitors across mostly rural areas along the eclipse's path in northern Spain and the Balearic Islands. In Iceland, a country of around 400,000 people, officials expected as many as 80,000 visitors for the rare celestial event, reports Reuters.

In Spain, the eclipse occurred shortly before sunset, creating the prospect of a particularly striking spectacle as the sky darkened before the Sun disappeared below the horizon.

The total eclipse was visible along a narrow path stretching from the North Atlantic through Iceland and into parts of Spain. Totality lasted for just over two minutes at its longest point, while a much wider area experienced a partial eclipse.

The event was Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999, drawing astronomy enthusiasts and visitors from around the world.

Massive security operation in Spain

Spanish authorities deployed a major security and emergency response operation as large crowds gathered in areas along the path of totality.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said around 25,000 police officers had been assigned to ensure security, while nearly 100 aircraft and helicopters were also placed on standby.

Authorities urged visitors to use designated observation points and follow restrictions in some natural areas because of an elevated wildfire risk caused by high temperatures.

The eclipse also provided an opportunity for Spain to attract tourists to less-visited inland regions away from its crowded coastal resorts.

Eclipse fever in Iceland

In Reykjavik, eclipse glasses had reportedly sold out days before the event as visitors arrived from abroad to witness totality.

The Moon's shadow reached Iceland's western coast at around 5:44pm local time before moving eastward. Totality lasted up to about two minutes and 13 seconds in the far west, although the duration varied across locations.

However, cloudy and rainy conditions affected parts of Iceland. The country's meteorological service said the best chances of clear breaks were expected in the northwest.

NASA also sent a high-altitude WB-57 aircraft to follow the Moon's shadow, while NASA-funded teams planned to launch balloons to study changes in the atmosphere caused by the sudden darkness and cooling.

Why eclipses matter to scientists

During totality, the Moon completely blocks the bright surface of the Sun, allowing scientists to observe the solar corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere, which is normally difficult to see because of the Sun's intense brightness.

The sudden drop in sunlight and temperature also provides researchers with an opportunity to study changes in the lower atmosphere.

Historically, solar eclipses were often interpreted as omens or signs of divine intervention. The word "eclipse" comes from the ancient Greek ékleipsis, meaning abandonment, failure or cessation.

Bangladesh misses the spectacle

The total solar eclipse was not visible from Bangladesh because the country lies outside the path of totality.

However, people in Bangladesh and elsewhere could follow the event through livestreams provided by international space agencies and astronomical observatories.

The Iberian Peninsula is scheduled to experience another total solar eclipse on 2 August 2027, followed by an annular eclipse in January 2028, forming what has been dubbed the "Iberian Eclipse Trio."