A total solar eclipse will sweep across Europe on Wednesday, plunging parts of northern Spain into eerie daytime darkness for the first time in two decades. The Moon will completely block the Sun along a narrow path, while millions more across Europe, Canada, the northern United States and northwest Africa will see a partial eclipse. The event marks mainland Europe's first total solar eclipse since 2006.
Sky watchers have traveled from as far as Iceland to Spain to catch the spectacle, driving a tourist surge in sleepy villages. In Madrid, thousands rushed to find the best vantage points, jamming trains and organizing last-minute carpools, while social media buzzed with viewing tips. At the Javalambre Observatory in Spain, the European Space Agency will livestream the eclipse, combining telescope feeds, drone footage and expert commentary. There, totality will last 1 minute and 21 seconds starting at 20:31 CEST, revealing the Sun's normally hidden outer atmosphere.
The eclipse also poses a challenge for Europe's power grid. Solar generation across the UK and western Europe will drop sharply as the Moon blocks sunlight, forcing operators to adjust supply.