Total darkness, then sunset as full eclipse wows spectators across Europe

A rare total solar eclipse captivated millions across Iceland and northern Spain on Wednesday evening, marking Western Europe's first such event in 27 years. In Spain, spectators in rural areas like Buitrago de Lozoya cheered as the sky dimmed and Baily's beads appeared just after 8:30 p.m., with economist Diego Fernandez noting, "It's impressive how the colors return little by little after totality." Iceland also experienced totality, though often obscured by clouds, with lawyer Eduarda Ortiz describing it as feeling like "a whole day just came at once." Authorities in Spain deployed a massive police contingent and nearly 100 aircraft to manage up to 6 million visitors and prevent wildfires, with one small fire near a viewing point in Peñíscola starting in a vehicle and spreading to 33 others before being controlled. Queen guitarist Brian May was among the attendees, chronicling the event on Instagram.