Solar eclipse 2026: Pictures from the UK and around the world

A total solar eclipse has passed across Europe for the first time in nearly thirty years.

Millions of people across an area stretching from Greenland and Iceland down to Spain, witnessed the Moon passing in front of the Sun and blocking its light.

The UK saw a partial eclipse - which was at its best in south-west England and Wales.

Let's take a closer look at some of the pictures of the eclipse captured in the UK and around the world.

Did you manage to see the solar eclipse? Let us know in the comments below..

One of the first places to experience the total solar eclipse was Greenland. In fact, much of the early part of the eclipse's path passed over uninhabited areas of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans.

There are usually between two and five solar eclipses every year, but most of these are partial. A total eclipse usually takes places about once every 18 months.

The eclipse then curved down towards the west coast of Iceland. In the country's capital, Reykjavik, crowds gathered to witness the sky falling dark as the Moon made it's way between the Earth and the Sun.

Across the UK around 90% or more of the sun was covered by the Moon. This is because the path of totality passed at sea off the south-west coast of the country.

The best view of the partial eclipse in UK was in Cornwall, where the Moon covered around 95% of the Sun. Beaches were packed with people all hoping to catch a glimpse of the historic event.

Elsewhere, in London - where these pictures were taken - around 91% of the Sun covered by the Moon. August's eclipse was the closest the UK has been to total coverage of the sun for 27 years.

Several sporting events and competitions carried on during the eclipse. Here in Birmingham, spectators at the European Athletics Championships watched it through protective glasses during the evening session.

Next, it was northern Spain's turn to experience the Sun, Moon and Earth lining up in space. This happens because the diameter of the Sun is 400 times greater than that of the Moon, but it's also 400 times further away.

When the total solar eclipse occurred, a flare of sunlight around the Moon's edge made it look like a huge shiny gold ring was hanging in the sky.

The length of totality depended on where you were in the country, but on average it lasted around one and a half minutes. It was then time for the Moon to uncover the Sun again, as seen here from La Zurriola beach in San Sebastian.

The last place on land to view the eclipse were the Spanish islands of Majorca and Menorca, before the shadow disappeared in the Mediterranean Sea as the Sun set.

The next total solar eclipse visible from Europe will happen in August 2027.

However, people in the UK will have to wait a little longer. The next big partial solar eclipse will take place in September 2081, while the next total eclipse visible from the UK won't happen until 2090.