PHOTOS: Solar eclipse begins across UK, Europe

A solar eclipse has commenced across the United Kingdom and portions of Europe, with the Moon gradually obscuring the Sun's face. The phenomenon began in Edinburgh around 18:28 BST on Wednesday, peaking at approximately 19:06 local time. According to BBC, Edinburgh residents could see the Moon "starting to take a bite out of the sun," with sunspots also visible through a telescope.

The eclipse had already fully engulfed the Sun in parts of Iceland and Greenland, while other European nations were anticipated to witness a total eclipse. Over 90% of the Sun's disc was expected to be covered by the Moon across most of the UK, marking the most significant solar eclipse visible from the country since 1999. Crowds gathered at viewing locations throughout the UK, and special eclipse glasses reportedly sold out in some areas.

In Russia, the Moon first obscured the Sun at the northernmost point of mainland Russia around 1700 GMT, leaving only the shimmering corona and an eerie darkness. The rare celestial event prompted a rush for protective glasses across Europe. As the eclipse proceeded down through Greenland and Iceland, excitement grew in Spain, where the narrow path cuts diagonally from the northwestern Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean Sea before fading around 1830 GMT.

Tourists and enthusiasts flocked to typically quiet Spanish villages, as mainland Europe had not experienced a total solar eclipse for 20 years, and Spain had not witnessed one in over a century.