Total solar eclipse draws crowds across northern Spain and Iceland

Buitrago de Lozoya, Spain. Spectators across northern Spain watched a rare total solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, as the phenomenon briefly plunged parts of the country into darkness. Millions of people gathered in Spain and Iceland for Western Europe’s first total solar eclipse in 27 years.

Viewing events in Spain

Spain deployed a large police contingent and established special viewing sites in rural areas offering favourable views of the eclipse.

In Buitrago de Lozoya, north of Madrid, viewers clapped and cheered as the sky darkened shortly after 8:30 p.m. (1830 GMT). Baily’s beads, bright points of sunlight visible around the moon’s edge during a total eclipse, appeared on the horizon, with totality lasting less than a minute.

Economist Diego Fernandez, 32, said the gradual return of colours after totality was striking. “It’s impressive how the colours return little by little after totality – first the reds, then the blues – just like at dawn and sunset, totally deceiving your brain,” he said.

Madrid resident Rafael Jiménez, 50, described the event as resembling science fiction. He said garden sprinklers activated during the darkness before the scene quickly returned to sunset-like conditions.

Cloud cover in Iceland

The eclipse passed over much of overcast Iceland before reaching Spain. A break in cloud cover in the far west of the Nordic country allowed holidaymakers and local residents to see the phenomenon.

Clouds obscured the eclipse in central Reykjavik, although the darkness during totality remained evident. Lawyer Eduarda Ortiz, 33, told Reuters the experience gave her goosebumps and made her reflect on time and the shortness of life.

Brian May joins observers

Brian May, former guitarist of the rock band Queen, travelled to an observatory in Spain’s Teruel province and documented the experience on his Instagram page.

As the eclipse reached its climax, May said, “Here we go, the sun is disappearing. It’s amazing,” while bystanders cheered and applauded after a countdown.