2 hours ago
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Is this… the eclipse starting in London!?
Yesssss!
Here’s our stream from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich:
Key events
If you couldn’t get a pair of eclipse glasses, a bit of creativity still goes a long way – as this picture from Lewis in north London shows quite well.
Jokes aside, this is something very special.
The Spanish airline Iberia is hosting a special flight IB1473 – the number is a nod to the birth year of Nicolaus Copernicus – and it will be showing us live pictures from its flight above Spain.
They are streaming live here.
Some places are better than others to watch the eclipse in Iceland, clearly, as per this shot from the country’s public broadcaster.
Martin Belam
on Hampstead Heath, London
I am up on Hampstead Heath in north London, where my partner Melanie seems convinced I’ve picked up the wrong glasses for the occasion?
Only joking – we’ve got proper eclipse glasses and there is plenty of advice on the blog (18:07) and the website on how to view the event safely.
I’m expecting something like 92% coverage of the sun peaking at about 7.12pm local time.
Crowds gather to see social eclipse across Europe - in pictures
And here’s the latest from Iceland, via the country’s public broadcaster RÚV.
Some cheeky clouds trying hard to spoil the moment, though.
And here’s the eclipse as seen from on board the Ambassador cruise ship Ambition, off the coast of Greenland.
Lots of people out to watch it:
Meanwhile, Martin in London is practising the use of colander ahead of the big moment.
Looks like he still needs to work it out fully, though.
Nasa has this helpful guide on how to watch the eclipse through the colander – without wearing it on your head though.
Still about 50 minutes to read it.
Martin Belam
in Hampstead Heath
I’m currently making my way up to the higher spots of Hampstead Heath in north London.
There is a steady stream of people doing the same thing, just as the eclipse is about to begin here.
Is this… the eclipse starting in London!?
Yesssss!
Here’s our stream from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich:
Nicki is also excited, on her 24h trip to Mallorca.
“Last week I decided I’d like to chance seeing the eclipse and spent some savings on a 24 hour trip to Mallorca.
A last minute change of hotel and sides arrangements mean we are sitting on a rocky outcrop at the southwestern end of Playa to Palma.
The distant mountains may mean a very slightly impinged view of the sun but who cares…? It’s beautiful, it’s fun, and the ice cold beer tasted divine!
We arrived at 3pm. We leave tomorrow at 4pm. Worth every penny!”
And Teresa has driven to L’ampolla in Spain with her husband, daughter and dog “specifically to see the eclipse.”
“Currently at the town’s viewing spot with hundreds of people looking forward to a great show.”
Let’s take a look at some emails from you in the last hour…
Rosie writes in:
“Going to the park to watch it with the eclipse glasses!!”
Miguel has his evening plans sorted out:
“My plans are very unglamorous. I have checked where the sun is gonna be at 1930, the most visible period here in the outskirts of Lisbon, me and the Mrs. are going to look there in all safety with our pharmacy-aquired glasses... and then its chinese food night.”
Sounds perfect if you ask me!
But Koenraad is a bit worried about the weather over in Spain:
“Im sitting just South of A Coruña watching the crowd going quiet as the sun gets obscured by clouds.”
But Elaine has more luck as she awaits the show:
“My husband and myself are sat on a prepared site in Northern Spain. It’s in a small town called les Borges Blanques. So far we are the only English people here which is surprising.
Everyone seems to be having a fun time and the whole event is a pleasure to attend. The organization is amazing with space for 2500 people. Parking is good, seats are provided and also free eclipse glasses. There is a band set up to play, basic catering and drinks All totally free apart from the food and drink.
Slight problem is that the temperature is 38 degrees. Waiting anxiously that a bank of cloud doesn’t block the 23 seconds of totality!”
Nathalie in Saragossa is also ready for the eclipse:
“So I am cooking in the heat of Zaragoza. Sitting on a bench near a mirador on the highest part of the Parque Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta. …
Eclipse glasses were given this morning by the tourist office at opening. I just walked past when they let 5-6 people so I joined them.
People are starting to arrive at 18h00. It’s probably going to get crowded.”
And our main video feed is now showing pictures from Stavanger in Norway…
Crews responding to a wildfire in Cape Cornwall with fears it could obstruct the view of the eclipse
Steven Morris
in Sennen Cove, Cornwall
There’s a pall of smoke over Cape Cornwall that might obscure the view of the eclipse for some.
The smoke is coming from a wildfire near Land’s End airport.
Cornwall fire and rescue service said: “Crews are responding to a wildfire in the area of Crows-An-Wra, St Buryan.”
Cornwall council added: “There is a lot of smoke in the area. Please avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed if you live nearby.”
The eclipse will also start in the UK soon, but “peak solar obscuration time” – also known as “most of the sun will be covered” – is still just over an hour away from now in the first 15 mins after 7pm, depending on where you are.
First signs of solar eclipse in Iceland
We are starting to see first signs of the solar eclipse in Iceland, thanks to the Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV.
Just under an hour until the full eclipse there in Látrabjarg.
And it will be the longest eclipse anywhere in Icelandic mainland, lasting two minutes and 13 seconds.
You can watch RÚV’s live stream on YouTube here.
Solar eclipse in Europe 2026 - live video
Our live feed for the evening is now up, with various best shots from around the world.
It’s here:
