Iceland eclipse leaves viewers in tears despite poor weather

Many people were moved to tears by the total solar eclipse over Iceland, according to mbl.is, although weather conditions obstructed parts of the spectacle.

“You are naturally exhausted after this,” Sævar Helgi Bragason, better known as Star-Sævar, said. He described the evening as an emotional roller coaster after the demands of recent weeks, months and years.

“The weather naturally put a slight damper on things, but it was still wonderfully beautiful,” he said.

Sævar said reactions had been highly positive despite the Icelandic weather. He had heard of many people who had not expected to cry but did so because the eclipse was both moving and magnificent. Those who saw its beginning in the west had an even more impressive experience, he said.

Sævar watched from his home in Fossvogur, where people gathered to celebrate, open a large bottle of champagne and mark the occasion together.

He has no intention of missing the next total solar eclipse, which will be visible from southern Spain in a year. The eclipse there will last four minutes.