Total solar eclipse 2026: What millions just witnessed

A total solar eclipse swept across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal, marking mainland Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999. The eclipse occurred on August 12, 2026, with about 15 million people, mostly in Spain, standing in the path of totality, while nearly 980 million people 'had the opportunity' to see a partial eclipse. The event held a great significance as it was the first time since 1905 that Spain witnessed a total eclipse, and the next opportunity to see one will come on Aug. 2, 2027, when totality crosses southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Video Credit: Getty, AP & NASA