9 of the best photos from Europe's 2026 solar eclipse, including that viral shot of an Olympic skateboarder's rad ollie

A collage image of three solar eclipse 2026 photos
Some of the best 2026 solar eclipse photos. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Europe's 2026 solar eclipse has been and gone, leaving in its wake a flurry of once-in-a-generation images. I've picked out some of my favorites, which you can peruse below, but there's one shot that really outshone the rest for me.

Captured by a small camera crew in rural Spain, the photograph is of Olympic skateboarder Danny León jumping mid-air on a half-pipe as the moon eclipses the sun behind him. Since posting it on Instagram (see below), the image of the synchronized eclipse stunt has gone viral.

León hasn't yet disclosed the equipment used to photograph the epic shot, but has said that he'll share the backstory soon. All of the best images I've seen so far of the August 12th solar eclipse have been taken on mirrorless cameras, so I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same.

Latest Videos FromTechRadar

What I was surprised to hear was that the majority of TechRadar readers photographed yesterday's eclipse with just their smartphone's camera. Based on a poll of 825 people, close to 50% of respondents said they were planning to capture it with their phone.

Meanwhile, 30% said they wouldn't bother photographing it at all and instead planned to watch it with solar eclipse glasses, or, if you were like me, through a shadow made by a pinhole in a sheet of paper (my version of a DIY box projector or colander).

Of course I couldn't help but sneak a photo of it on my iPhone, which isn't advised because of the potential damage it can do to the sensor, but as long as you're only quickly snapping a pic, then you likely won't create dead pixels — it's more if you were to point it at the sun for a prolonged period of time.

If you didn't manage to capture the 2026 solar eclipse, enjoy this selection of some of my favorite shots of the major celestial event, and make sure to let me know which one is your favorite by voting in the poll below.


A view of the solar eclipse from behind the Osborne Bull statue in Spain

The 46ft tall Osborne Bull in Guadalajara was one of the best spots to view the total solar eclipse in Spain. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The silhouettes of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London in front of the solar eclipse 2026.

Most of the UK saw a partial lunar eclipse, with more than 90% of the sun covered by the moon. (Image credit: Getty Images)

A mutliexposure shot of the solar eclipse over the Mediterranean sea in Mallorca Spain with a boat in the foreground

Yesterday's celestial event was the first total solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula in over a century. (Image credit: Getty Images)

A silhouetted cathedral (Catedral-Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar) with the total solar eclipse positioned in between the buildings.

Spain's Catedral-Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar perfectly framed the total solar eclipse. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Silhouettes of people and birds looking at the solar eclipse in Toulouse, in southwestern France,.

Like most of Europe, Toulouse in southwestern France only saw a partial solar eclipse. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Silhouettes of people standing in front of a partial solar eclipse in Glastonbury, England.

The historic St Michael's Church tower at the top of Glastonbury Tor attracted a crowd of celestial watchers. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The silhouette of a woman standing on a paddle board next to two sail boats with the solar eclipse in front of her.

This was the the first time a total solar eclipse could be viewed from Spain since 1905.  (Image credit: Getty Images)

A shot of the total solar eclipse 2026 zoomed in.

Nikon photographer and astrophotographer Angel Fux spent more than two years preparing to capture the solar eclipse in Spain. (Image credit: Angel Fux)

Google logo on a black background next to text reading 'Click to follow TechRadar'

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.


Amelia Schwanke
Senior Editor UK, Home Entertainment

Amelia became the Senior Editor for Home Entertainment at TechRadar in the UK in April 2023. With a background of more than eight years in tech and finance publishing, she's now leading our coverage to bring you a fresh perspective on everything to do with TV and audio. When she's not tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos in the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, you’ll find her watching movies, taking pictures and travelling.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.