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The Best Photos of the 2026 Solar Eclipse

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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.




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.




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 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 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.




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.




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.




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

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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