The Best Photos of the Big August Solar Eclipse

Aug 12, 2026 6:47 PM
It’s been a century since the Iberian Peninsula has been in the full shadow of the moon. Here’s what it looked like in the path of totality.

The sun obscured during the total solar eclipse in Caspe, Spain.Photograph: Jose Breton/Getty Images
For the first time in more than a century, Spain witnessed a total solar eclipse. The astronomical phenomenon, which was also partially visible in some regions of northern North America, much of Europe, and western Africa, offered an unusual and particularly photogenic sight due to the sun’s position just above the horizon.

The solar corona glows as the moon completely obscures the sun during the total solar eclipse on Arenal Beach in Llucmajor, Mallorca.
Photograph: Jaime Reina/Getty Images
People gathered at El Cerro del Tío Pío Park in Madrid to observe the total solar eclipse.
Photograph: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/Getty Images
The solar corona glows as the moon completely blocks the sun during the totality phase, as seen from San Asensio in the La Rioja region.
Photograph: Ander Gillenea/Getty Images
Fans of Real Madrid watch the solar eclipse through special glasses before the Teresa Herrera Trophy match between RC Deportivo A Coruña and Real Madrid at Riazor Stadium.
Photograph: José Manuel Álvarez Rey/Getty Images
The total solar eclipse as observed from Palencia, Spain.
Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Beachgoers view the eclipse in Llucmajor, Mallorca.
Photograph: Jaime Reina/Getty Images
The moment following totality of the solar eclipse over the coastal lagoon of La Albufera in Valencia.
Photograph: Jose Jordan/Getty Images
Several people watch the total solar eclipse from Arenal Beach in Llucmajor, Mallorca.
Photograph: Jaime REINA /Getty Images
People prepare to watch the total solar eclipse from Arenal Beach in Llucmajor, Mallorca.
Photograph: Jaime Reina/Getty Images
A man watches the total solar eclipse from the port of Tarragona, in eastern Spain.
Photograph: Josep Lago/Getty Images
A view of the solar eclipse from Segur de Calafell, Spain.
Photograph: Eric Alonso/Getty Images
A girl watches the total solar eclipse in the port of Tarragona, in eastern Spain.
Photograph: Josep Lago/Getty Images
The eclipse in the moments following totality, as seen from La Zurriola Beach in San Sebastián.
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Reporting from WIRED contributed to this story.



