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    The Best Photos of the 2026 Solar Eclipse

    Press RoomBy No Comments4 Mins Read

    Europeans set their eyes on the sky on Wednesday to witness the only total solar eclipse of the year.

    The phenomenon, which occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, began at 11:34 a.m. ET, with totality lasting up to about 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The lucky few corners of the world with the potential to see the full eclipse were Iceland, Greenland, Spain, the Arctic, and portions of Portugal and Siberia.

    In North America, Canada and the northern parts of the US caught a glimpse of a partial eclipse, a far cry from 2024’s eclipse, which swept across the nation and was forecast to drive an extra $1.6 billion to the nation’s economy.

    This latest eclipse also brought a tourism boom to Iceland: Data from the UK data firm Lighthouse shows hotel room prices exceeded $1,000 per night in the country’s capital, Reykjavik. That’s 212% above the city’s average rate for 2026.

    The next total solar eclipse visible from the US won’t occur until March 2033, but it will only be visible in Alaska. The contiguous US will have to wait until August 2044 to witness the next total eclipse.

    In Europe, eclipse events and celebrations varied by region.

    Some gathered at Iceland Eclipse, a five-day science and music festival, rubbing shoulders with the likes of artist Imogen Heap, Academy Award-nominated director Darren Aronofsky, American astronaut Sian Proctor, and more.

    Others went on multi-thousand-dollar cruises or took a flight. Some airlines allowed travelers the opportunity to see the eclipse unobstructed above the clouds, with people paying up to $1,200 for a seat.

    Here are the best photos of the 2026 total solar eclipse.

    This was mainland Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999.


    The moon passes over the sun to the right of the Eiffel Tower.

    The Eiffel Tower became a silhouette as the moon partially covered the sun in Paris.

    Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

    Spectators celebrated at parks, viewpoints, and festivals on the ground, as well as aboard special flights.


    A large crowd gathers in an outside area.

    Hundreds of people gather hours before the eclipse in Krakow, Poland, to secure viewing spots.

    Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    A photo taken in Caspe, Spain, shows the moon beginning to eclipse the sun.


    The moon begins to pass over the bright orange sun.

    This was the first solar eclipse visible from mainland Spain since 1905.

    Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images

    A shortage of solar eclipse glasses in UK shops left some scrambling.


    A woman holds up a cardboard sign asking for solar eclipse sunglasses.

    A woman holds up a sign asking for solar eclipse sunglasses in Primrose Hill in London.

    Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images

    Others came up with alternative eye-protection options.


    Two people sitting down hold up a welder's mask to view the solar eclipse.

    Two people use a welder’s mask to view the partial solar eclipse in Greenwich Park in London.

    Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

    Through the clouds in Stockholm, viewers could see about 83% of the sun obscured.


    The moon passes over the sun during a partial eclipse, with a few clouds slightly obscuring the view.

    Stockholm saw a partial eclipse through clouds.

    Fredrik SANDBERG / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP via Getty Images

    Scientists on the ground — and in the sky — studied the eclipse to better understand the sun’s magnetic field.


    Three people stand on top of a mountain with science equipment situated on a concrete slab.

    Astronomers from the University of Toulouse observe France’s partial solar eclipse on the summit of the Pic du Midi.

    Ed JONES / AFP via Getty Images

    Cloud cover blocked the view in parts of Northern Europe.


    A group of people stands on a rooftop, looking up at a gray sky.

    In Oslo, Norway, a crowd gathers on the roof of the city’s Opera House to watch the solar eclipse, largely hidden behind clouds.

    Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB / AFP via Getty Images

    Greenland saw a boost in tourism for the total solar eclipse. Some cruise ship tours cost upward of $10,000.


    Three people in windbreakers look up at the sky, with a large iceberg in the background.

    Three passengers on board a cruise ship watch the eclipse off the coast of Greenland.

    Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images

    The sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, was visible during totality.


    The solar eclipse is shown behind a Spanish cathedral.

    The moon eclipses the sun during a total solar eclipse in Zaragoza, Spain.

    Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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