Solar eclipse observed by millions across Northern Hemisphere

Millions of people across the Northern Hemisphere observed a significant solar eclipse, with varying degrees of visibility ranging from total to partial. In parts of the United Kingdom, the eclipse was the most dramatic seen in nearly three decades, with the Moon covering more than 90 percent of the Sun for much of the country. Total eclipses were visible from parts of Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Greenland, and Russia, while partial eclipses were seen in the Czech Republic, much of Europe, the northern United States, Canada, and Northwest Africa.

The event triggered a widespread shortage of specialized solar observation glasses. E-commerce retailers and observatories reported that stocks were depleted due to high demand. In the Czech Republic, major retailers and astronomy-focused shops sold out of protective eyewear and solar filters. This shortage led some individuals to seek improvised methods for viewing the phenomenon, such as using welding glass or indirect projection methods, despite warnings from medical professionals that looking directly at the Sun without proper protection can cause permanent retinal damage.