{
  "id": 685039,
  "title": "PHOTOS: Solar eclipse begins across UK, Europe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/photos-solar-eclipse-begins-across-uk-europe",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-12T17:58:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/photos-solar-eclipse-begins-across-uk-europe/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nIn 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.",
  "summary": "A rare solar eclipse is underway across the UK and Europe. Learn what causes a solar eclipse and how to safely view this celestial event. Read More: https://punchng.com/photos-solar-eclipse-begins-across-uk-europe/",
  "key_points": [
    "Solar eclipse begins across UK and Europe on Wednesday evening",
    "Moon fully covers Sun in parts of Iceland and Greenland",
    "Over 90% of Sun's disc covered in most of UK"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Forbes",
        "title": "Solar Eclipse Visible From Europe For First Time In 27 Years: Photos",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/solar-eclipse-visible-from-europe-for-first-time-in-27-years-photos",
        "published": "2026-08-12T17:59:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "PHOTOS: Solar eclipse begins across UK, Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/photos-solar-eclipse-begins-across-uk-europe-690919",
        "published": "2026-08-12T18:48:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "PHOTOS: Millions gather to watch Europe's first total solar eclipse in decades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/photos-millions-gather-to-watch-europes-first-total-solar-eclipse-in",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:50:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Excitement sweeps Europe as millions view total solar eclipse",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/excitement-sweeps-europe-as-millions-view-total-solar-eclipse",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:05:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Recapping Europe's total solar eclipse, first in nearly 3 decades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/recapping-europes-total-solar-eclipse-first-in-nearly-3-decades",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:13:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "‘Once in a lifetime’: Millions gather in Europe to see first total solar eclipse in decades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/once-in-a-lifetime-millions-gather-in-europe-to-see-first-total-solar",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:21:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "‘Once in a lifetime’: Millions gather in Europe to see first total solar eclipse in decades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/once-in-a-lifetime-millions-gather-in-europe-to-see-first-total-solar-701349",
        "published": "2026-08-12T20:21:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Europe's first solar eclipse in 27 years in pictures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/europes-first-solar-eclipse-in-27-years-in-pictures",
        "published": "2026-08-12T21:44:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}