A rare solar eclipse is currently underway across the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, with the Moon passing between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily obscuring its light. The phenomenon became visible in Edinburgh at approximately 6:28pm BST on Wednesday, with its peak expected in the Scottish capital around 7:06pm.

Observers in Edinburgh witnessed the Moon gradually cover the Sun, with sunspots reportedly visible through telescopes. The eclipse had already commenced in parts of Iceland and Greenland, and several other European countries were anticipated to experience a total eclipse as the Moon traversed its path. In much of the UK, over 90 per cent of the Sun was expected to be obscured, marking the most significant solar eclipse visible from the country since 1999. The event drew large crowds to viewing locations across the UK, and specialist eclipse glasses reportedly sold out in some areas.

The eclipse first reached the northernmost part of mainland Russia around 1700 GMT, where the Moon obscured the Sun, revealing the outer corona against a darkened sky. It then moved across Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain, with its path extending diagonally from the northwestern Atlantic coast towards the Mediterranean. Significant numbers of tourists and astronomy enthusiasts gathered in Spanish towns and villages to witness the event, fuelled by heightened interest as mainland Europe had not experienced a total solar eclipse for two decades. Spain, specifically, had not seen a total solar eclipse in over 100 years.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on Earth and blocking some or all of the Sun from view. Experts have cautioned observers against looking directly at the Sun without certified eye protection, as this can lead to serious and permanent eye damage. The eclipse has also garnered scientific attention, with Irish researchers planning to travel across the Atlantic to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, during the event.