WHEN ICELAND WAS PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS: WHAT NEWSPAPERS WROTE BEFORE THE 1954 SOLAR ECLIPSE
- Roman Pech
- 5. 6.
- Minut čtení: 4
Aktualizováno: před 2 dny
On August 12, 2026, Iceland will once again become one of the best places in the world to witness a total solar eclipse. Few people realize, however, that a similar event crossed the island more than seventy years ago.
On June 30, 1954, the path of totality swept across southern Iceland, and thousands of Icelanders witnessed a celestial event that returns to their country only rarely. Newspaper articles preserved from that time offer a fascinating glimpse into how eclipses were explained in an era long before the internet, mobile apps, and modern weather models.
A Total Eclipse Across Southern Iceland
In the days leading up to the event, Icelandic newspapers published detailed information about the path of the Moon’s shadow. One article explained:
“South of this boundary, a total eclipse will occur.”
The article included a map showing the northern limit of totality. Readers were informed that the path of the Moon’s shadow would be approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) wide and that the duration of totality would vary depending on location.
The longest period of totality was expected near Vestmannaeyjar, where the Sun would disappear for 2 minutes and 9 seconds. In Þykkvabær, totality would last 99 seconds, gradually decreasing farther away from the centerline of the eclipse path.
For modern readers, these figures are interesting not only in themselves but also because they demonstrate how accurately astronomers were able to predict eclipse circumstances even in the mid-20th century.
How Newspapers Advised People to Watch the Eclipse
Even more interesting are the recommendations given to the public.
“Everyone should obtain dark glass and observe the eclipse through it.”
The article advised readers to use very dark glass, preferably welding glass, and even suggested having two different shades available. According to the author, the darker glass would be useful during the partial phases, while a lighter one could be used during totality to better observe the phenomena surrounding the darkened Sun.
From today’s perspective, this serves as a fascinating historical document. Modern safety recommendations are much stricter, and certified solar filters meeting the ISO 12312-2 standard are now considered essential for viewing the partial phases of an eclipse. Nevertheless, it is remarkable to see how eclipse safety was explained to the public more than seventy years ago.
Stars in the Middle of the Day
The newspapers also attempted to describe what people could expect to experience during totality.
“During the total eclipse, stars and planets will be visible.”
This was no exaggeration. During a total solar eclipse, daylight dims so dramatically that the brightest stars and planets can indeed become visible. The landscape takes on an unusual gray-blue hue, and for a few minutes the world resembles twilight.
The article even noted that bright meteors might occasionally be seen under such conditions. For many Icelanders, this must have sounded almost unbelievable. Most had never witnessed a total eclipse before, and many would never see another one in their lifetime.
For eclipse observers, these few minutes are often the most unforgettable part of the entire event.
Seventy-Two Years Between Two Total Eclipses
Looking back at these old newspaper clippings reveals another remarkable fact.
Seventy-two years separate the total solar eclipse of June 30, 1954, from the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026.
Two generations of Icelanders have been given the opportunity to witness the same celestial spectacle from nearly the same place. While people in 1954 followed eclipse news in newspapers and prepared pieces of dark glass, visitors in 2026 will rely on satellite imagery, weather models, and specialized astronomy apps.
Yet the essence remains unchanged.
For a few minutes, day turns into night. Stars appear in the sky, and the Sun’s corona shines around the black disk of the Moon. The same sight that amazed Icelanders in 1954 will captivate tens of thousands of visitors in August 2026.
History Will Repeat Itself
When the Moon’s shadow sweeps across Iceland once again on August 12, 2026, it will be more than an astronomical event. It will also be a reminder of a moment last experienced on the island more than seven decades ago.
Perhaps somewhere along Iceland’s southern coast will stand the descendants of those who read newspaper articles about the 1954 eclipse and prepared their dark viewing glasses. Only this time, they will be checking weather forecasts on smartphones and carrying certified eclipse glasses instead of welding glass.
The sky above Iceland, however, will offer them the very same spectacle.
About the Author
Iceland has fascinated me for many years. Over the course of numerous journeys across the island, I have driven tens of thousands of kilometers, experienced storms that changed travel plans within minutes, and witnessed days when choosing the right route meant discovering places that most visitors never see. I documented many of these experiences in my documentary film Island in the North.
Through this website, I share practical travel advice, up-to-date information, and firsthand experiences from the field to help others explore Iceland more safely and gain a deeper understanding of its unique landscapes and ever-changing nature.
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