By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Millions of people across Europe turned their eyes to the sky on Wednesday as a rare total solar eclipse moved across the continent, creating a dramatic midday darkness along its narrow path of totality.

The eclipse began over remote parts of Russia before crossing the Arctic and Greenland and reaching Iceland. It was then expected to move towards Spain and a small part of Portugal, where large crowds had gathered at viewing locations.

The event marked the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe in more than two decades, turning parts of the continent into temporary centres of astronomical tourism.

In Spain’s Mallorca, visitors travelled from countries including the United States, Russia, Belgium and Germany to witness the Moon completely obscure the Sun. The island was among the locations expected to provide a particularly striking view of totality.

Iceland also attracted visitors from around the world. Organisers of the Iceland Eclipse Festival said people from 75 countries had gathered at a waterfall to experience the event, despite concerns over cloud and rain.

In England, where the eclipse was partial rather than total, families and tourists gathered at Land’s End in Cornwall. About 90% of the Sun was expected to be covered, with spectators preparing with camping chairs, picnic blankets and eclipse glasses.

The spectacle was not only a public event but also an important opportunity for scientists. During totality, the Moon blocks the Sun’s bright surface, allowing researchers to study the solar corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun that is normally difficult to observe because of the Sun’s intense brightness.

Scientists were also watching for a phenomenon known as shadow bands- faint, rapidly moving lines that can appear on the ground shortly before and after totality. Although researchers have theories about their origin, there is still no definitive explanation for the phenomenon.

The eclipse also highlighted efforts to make astronomy more accessible. Special LightSound devices converted changes in sunlight into sound, allowing people who are blind or have low vision to experience the progression of the eclipse. More than 50 public viewing events in Spain were expected to feature the technology.

Totality during Wednesday’s eclipse could last for up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. Scientists say such events are rare at any particular location because the Moon’s shadow covers only a relatively narrow portion of Earth’s surface.

The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen is expected on August 2, 2027, giving skywatchers another major opportunity to witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles.