The Meteosat Third Generation Imager satellite (MTG-I1) captured images of a total solar eclipse as it swept across the Iberian Peninsula on Tuesday between 20:26 and 20:34 CEST. The satellite recorded the Moon's shadow, known as the path of totality, converging with advancing twilight as dusk fell over Europe.
Operating from geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above Earth's surface, MTG-I1 tracked the eclipse as it passed first over Greenland and Iceland, then over northeastern Portugal and Spain. The total eclipse lasted only a few minutes on mainland Europe, but a partial eclipse was visible across a much broader area.
A partial eclipse could be seen from northern Canada, the Nordic countries and the western coast of Africa, as far south as Sierra Leone and Liberia, officials noted. During totality, the Sun's corona — a halo of light around the Moon — becomes visible.
More solar eclipses are expected between now and 2028. The MTG mission plans to launch its third satellite, MTG-I2, on August 27, 2026, aboard an Ariane 6 launcher departing from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
