13-08-2026
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered across Spain to watch a total solar eclipse, with especially large crowds reported in locations along the narrow path of totality. In Medinaceli, a hilltop town in north-eastern Spain, spectators arrived several hours before the eclipse carrying chairs, hats and protective glasses in an effort to secure unobstructed views. The eclipse reached totality shortly before sunset.
The coastal town of Getxo, north-west of Bilbao in the Basque Country, was also positioned within the path. At approximately 20:27 CEST, the Moon completely covered the Sun there for only a few seconds, while the Sun was just eight degrees above the western horizon. In Spain, the total phase lasted about one minute before the eclipse continued toward the Mediterranean. The longest period of totality—less than two and a half minutes—was observed farther north, off Iceland’s west coast.
Spanish authorities had forecast that at least 500,000 additional visitors would travel to areas along the eclipse’s path. The expected influx placed pressure on hotels, transport and other local services. The eclipse also took place during a period of exceptionally high summer temperatures and wildfires in Spain, leading authorities to launch a major public-safety campaign. The campaign was intended to help manage risks associated with large crowds, extreme heat and fire conditions while visitors gathered to observe the rare astronomical event.
Entities: Spain, Medinaceli, Getxo, Bilbao, Basque Country • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
The article reports on a partial solar eclipse visible over Paris, where the event appeared above the Eiffel Tower and created a striking pairing between a major astronomical phenomenon and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Its headline emphasizes the way the eclipse “carves” the tower’s silhouette into the Parisian sky, while the accompanying description says that the eclipse illuminated the sky over the tower.
The report places the Paris sighting within a broader European view of the same eclipse. In France and other parts of Europe, the eclipse was partial, meaning observers saw only part of the Sun obscured. The article contrasts that experience with locations where the eclipse was total: Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. It therefore underscores that the eclipse’s appearance differed according to geographic location, with Paris included among the areas that did not experience full coverage.
The central observation is visual rather than technical: the Eiffel Tower served as the focal point for viewing the eclipse in Paris. The geographic comparison gives readers a concise sense of how the same celestial event could appear differently across regions. Published by Al Jazeera’s Science and Technology section on August 13, 2026, the item is a short news update or video-newsfeed description rather than a detailed scientific explainer. It does not provide information about the eclipse’s exact timing, duration, viewing conditions, safety guidance, public reaction, or the scientific cause of the geographic variation. Its focus is the visual scene over Paris and the distinction between partial visibility in France and Europe and totality in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.
Entities: Solar eclipse, Partial solar eclipse, Total solar eclipse, Eiffel Tower, Paris • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
The only total solar eclipse of 2026 crossed the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday, bringing brief darkness to parts of northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. Crowds gathered across Europe, with northern Spain identified as one of the best viewing locations. Spain had not experienced a total solar eclipse since 1905.
The path of totality was relatively narrow and lasted about one hour and 45 minutes from its first appearance in extreme northern Russia at 1 p.m. Eastern time until it ended around 2:45 p.m. Totality reached northeast Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, where the moon completely covered the sun for approximately two minutes. A much wider area saw a partial eclipse, including major European cities such as Madrid, London and Paris. London experienced its maximum eclipse at 91% at 2:13 p.m. ET, while northern Spain reached totality at about 2:30 p.m. ET.
Approximately 230 million people lived in areas experiencing at least 90% coverage, according to population data from Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network. Parts of North America also saw a partial eclipse. Fairbanks, Alaska, had the strongest U.S. view at 37% coverage, while Boston, New York City, Toronto and Philadelphia saw smaller portions.
The article emphasizes eclipse safety, explaining that protective glasses must be worn throughout a partial eclipse and may be removed only during the brief period of totality. It also looks ahead to future U.S. eclipses. The next total eclipse visible from the United States will occur in 2044 across Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Another in 2045 will cross much of the country from Northern California to Florida, while a total eclipse will not reach the northeastern United States until 2079.
Entities: 2026 total solar eclipse, Northern Hemisphere, Moon and Sun, Path of totality, Northern Spain • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
Euronews explains how to responsibly dispose of, reuse or donate solar eclipse glasses after the 2026 total solar eclipse. Millions of people watched the eclipse across Europe, including in Spain, Portugal, Greenland and Iceland. Because looking directly at the Sun can cause permanent retinal damage, viewers were encouraged to use certified protective eyewear. The event also created a surge in demand that left many shops without supplies and prompted some people to make homemade alternatives.
The article says eclipse glasses can generally be recycled only in part. Their specialized lenses are made from black polymer or metal-coated polyester film, materials that most municipal recycling facilities cannot process. Consumers should remove the lenses before placing clean cardboard or paper frames in standard recycling. Most plastic frames cannot be recycled through ordinary municipal systems.
Reuse is another option, but safety depends on the glasses’ age and condition. Glasses made before 2015 may have degraded and should not be reused, including eyewear from the 1999 eclipse. Modern glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard do not technically expire, but experts advise using them for up to 10 years and rejecting any pair with scratches, punctures or loose filters. A simple test involves looking through the glasses at a bright light; total darkness indicates that there are no visible pinholes.
People who do not expect to attend future eclipses can donate lightly used glasses through collection programs organized by libraries, museums and schools, or send them to friends and relatives in areas where upcoming eclipses will be visible. The article highlights total eclipses in Luxor, Egypt, in 2027 and Australia and New Zealand in 2028 as opportunities for reuse.
Entities: Angela Symons, Ruth Wright, Euronews, 2026 total solar eclipse, Solar eclipse glasses • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
Spain experienced its first total solar eclipse in more than a century on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, attracting large crowds to viewing locations across the northern part of the country. As the Moon moved directly between Earth and the Sun, spectators gathered along the narrow path of totality to witness the brief period when the Sun was completely obscured.
In Medinaceli, a hilltop town in north-eastern Spain, visitors arrived hours before the eclipse. Many brought chairs, hats and certified eclipse glasses in an effort to secure unobstructed views before totality occurred shortly before sunset. The coastal town of Getxo, north-west of Bilbao in the Basque Country, was also within the path. There, the Moon covered the Sun for only a few seconds at approximately 20:27 Central European Summer Time, while the Sun stood just eight degrees above the western horizon.
Totality lasted around one minute in Spain before the eclipse continued toward the Mediterranean. The longest total phase, lasting less than two and a half minutes, was observed farther north, off Iceland’s west coast.
Spanish authorities had anticipated at least 500,000 additional visitors along the eclipse route, creating pressure on hotels, transport and local services. The influx coincided with exceptionally hot summer conditions and wildfires in Spain, leading authorities to introduce a major public safety campaign. The event therefore combined significant scientific and tourism interest with logistical and safety challenges for communities hosting large numbers of spectators.
Entities: Spain, Medinaceli, Getxo, Bilbao, Basque Country • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
Euronews reports that skywatchers across Europe gathered on Wednesday, 13 August 2026, to observe a rare solar eclipse as the Moon moved across the face of the Sun. Crowds assembled in major cities including Paris, Brussels and Rome, while observers in Russia also watched the eclipse. The event caused daylight to darken in areas located along the eclipse’s path, with the most dramatic conditions occurring where the eclipse was total.
Totality was visible along a narrow route crossing northern Spain, parts of Portugal and Iceland. In these locations, the Moon completely covered the Sun, plunging the landscape into darkness. Much of western and central Europe experienced a partial eclipse, during which only part of the Sun was obscured. The report describes the eclipse as rare and emphasizes the wide geographical area from which it could be observed.
Viewers used special eclipse glasses and other protective equipment to watch the event safely. The safety measures were important because looking directly at the Sun can damage eyesight, even when much of the solar disc is covered. The article is a brief video news report focused on public observation of the eclipse, the locations affected and the distinction between total and partial phases. It does not provide detailed scientific analysis, precise timings or expert commentary, but documents the spectacle as it was seen across Europe and nearby regions.
Entities: Euronews, solar eclipse, Moon, Sun, Europe • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
Spain is preparing for a rare total solar eclipse expected to attract at least 500,000 additional visitors to northern and central parts of the country. The eclipse will begin around sunset as the sun, moon and Earth align, with totality lasting less than two and a half minutes at its longest point near Iceland. In Spain, the period of complete darkness will last roughly one minute before the event moves over the Mediterranean.
The spectacle is taking place amid exceptionally hot, dry conditions and an elevated wildfire threat. Spain’s Interior Ministry has established 350 official viewing areas across the sparsely populated interior, while access to another 123 sites has been limited because of environmental risks or difficulties that could complicate evacuations. More than 33,500 law enforcement officers will be deployed to viewing locations and access routes.
Officials are particularly concerned that large crowds, dry vegetation and temperatures above 35 C could contribute to new fires. The warning follows a devastating wildfire in Ávila that recently burned approximately 500 square kilometres and forced tens of thousands of evacuations. Authorities are urging visitors not to light fires, litter or park on dry vegetation, emphasizing that even a single spark could have serious consequences.
Demand for accommodations in cities along the eclipse’s path, including A Coruña, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela, has surged. Visitors have also rushed to obtain certified eclipse glasses, which are necessary to protect eyesight from harmful solar radiation. Stores and pharmacies across Spain have reported limited supplies. Despite the safety concerns, residents and tourists remain enthusiastic about witnessing the brief period of darkness, with some arriving hours early to secure viewing locations.
Entities: Spain, Total solar eclipse, Spanish Interior Ministry, AEMET (Spain’s national weather agency), Fernando Grande-Marlaska • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
Millions of people gathered across Spain on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, to witness the country’s first total solar eclipse in more than a century. As the moon aligned with the sun and Earth, darkness swept across parts of Spain and Portugal, with the eclipse also passing over portions of Greenland and Iceland. In Spain, totality lasted about a minute before sunset, while the maximum duration—less than two and a half minutes—occurred off Iceland’s west coast.
The eclipse drew at least 500,000 additional visitors to Spain, driving hotel demand sharply higher in cities including A Coruña, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela. Authorities established roughly 350 official viewing sites and deployed more than 33,500 law enforcement officers. The event took place amid extreme summer heat, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in many viewing areas, and continuing wildfires, including one that recently burned 500 square kilometers and forced tens of thousands of evacuations in Ávila. Special eclipse glasses sold rapidly across the country because direct sunlight can cause serious eye damage.
Clouds obscured much of the eclipse in Iceland, but crowds in Reykjavík still cheered when the city suddenly went dark. A cruise ship near Greenland maneuvered to give passengers a clear view, while hotel prices in Reykjavík averaged more than $1,000 as visitors arrived for Iceland’s first total eclipse since 1954. Britain experienced a partial eclipse, with more than 90% of the sun obscured in some places. Across the region, spectators described the rare event as magical, emotional and deeply humbling.
Entities: Total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Greenland • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
A total solar eclipse crossed Europe, bringing darkness to parts of Iceland and Spain and producing partial views across countries including Britain, Germany and Russia. For Spain, the event was especially significant because the mainland had not experienced a full-scale total solar eclipse for more than a century. The article notes that a hybrid eclipse in 1912 produced only a few seconds of totality, so some astronomers regard 1905 as Spain’s previous full total eclipse.
The eclipse began affecting Europe from the east, with observers in St. Petersburg and Berlin watching the moon cover part of the sun. In Britain, more than 90% of the sun was obscured, and crowds in London’s Greenwich Park watched the sky turn grey. Iceland provided the first major European opportunity to see totality. Although cloud and rain limited views in Reykjavik, the sudden darkness around Hallgrímskirkja prompted cheers. Totality lasted up to 2 minutes and 13 seconds on Iceland’s western coast, with a maximum duration of about 2 minutes and 18 seconds offshore.
The moon’s shadow then crossed the North Atlantic and reached northwestern Spain at about 8:28 p.m. local time, shortly before sunset. Cities and regions including A Coruña, Bilbao, central Spain and the Balearic Islands experienced the event. In Buitrago de Lozoya, totality lasted only about a minute, and observers saw Baily’s beads near the horizon as sunlight reappeared. Crowds gathered in locations such as Medinaceli, Berlanga de Duero and Reinosa, applauding as daylight faded and returned.
The eclipse also briefly reached northeastern Portugal. The article concludes that Spain’s unusual sequence of eclipses is not over: another total solar eclipse is expected to cross the country on August 2, 2027, followed by an annular “ring of fire” eclipse on January 26, 2028.
Entities: Total solar eclipse, Spain, Western Europe, Iceland, North Atlantic • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
13-08-2026
Spanish Olympic skateboarder Danny León marked a solar eclipse with a carefully timed skateboarding stunt. As the moon moved in front of the sun, creating the eclipse, León performed a jump that coincided with the astronomical event. The timing turned an ordinary skateboarding trick into a visually striking moment linking sport and astronomy. León later shared footage or images of the stunt on his social media accounts, presenting it as a particularly significant achievement. He described the performance as “the move of his life,” underscoring his excitement and pride in the result.
The article, published by Al Jazeera on 13 August 2026, focuses on the spectacle of the stunt rather than providing technical information about the eclipse, the location where it occurred, or the details of León’s preparation. It portrays the event as an “iconic stunt,” emphasizing the unusual coordination required to match the jump with the moon’s passage across the sun. The brief report is framed as a light, entertaining news item about a memorable sporting moment and its circulation on social media. No additional comments from León, details about the eclipse’s visibility, or information about the skateboarder’s Olympic career are included in the supplied text.
Entities: Danny León, Spanish Olympic skateboarder, Al Jazeera, solar eclipse, moon passing in front of the sun • Tone: positive • Sentiment: positive • Intent: entertain
13-08-2026
Skywatchers in parts of Canada are expected to have the opportunity to observe two celestial events within hours of one another: a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday and the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The eclipse will be visible across northern and western areas of Canada, with Newfoundland and Labrador expected to have the clearest Canadian view, although it will still be partial. The article lists approximate peak viewing times for several cities: 8:54 a.m. in Prince George, 10:02 a.m. in Edmonton, 12:55 p.m. in Toronto and 2:28 p.m. in St. John’s.
Experts stress that proper eclipse glasses or other approved eye protection must be used when looking at the Sun. The eclipse will cover only a small portion of the Sun, meaning the difference will not be obvious without protection. People without eclipse glasses can make a simple pinhole projector using a cardboard box, aluminum foil and white paper. The next total solar eclipse visible in Canada is expected on Aug. 22, 2044, while Spain and Iceland are expected to receive the most complete view of this event.
The Perseid meteor shower is caused by Earth passing through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The particles enter the atmosphere at about 59 kilometres per second, vaporize high above Earth and create visible streaks of light. For the best chance of seeing meteors, viewers should travel away from city lights, use a red filter on any flashlight, lie on their backs and look across as much of the sky as possible. NASA recommends allowing at least 30 minutes for night vision to develop and avoiding bright cellphone screens. The darkest viewing window is expected to be roughly between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Entities: Partial solar eclipse, Perseid meteor shower, Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince George, British Columbia • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
