![](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015.gif?w=2400&quality=85)
By Sarah Begley and TIME Photo
People in a small swath of Europe were treated to a total solar eclipse early Friday morning as the moon aligned to fully block the sun from their vantage point on Earth.
The European Space Agency published images of the eclipse recorded by a small Proba-2 satellite.
Americans haven’t seen a total solar eclipse since 1979, and certain states will see the next one on Aug. 21, 2017.
See the Best Solar Eclipse Pictures
![total solar eclipse at Svalbard Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-1.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![March 20th partial solar eclipse observed in Toulouse Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Partial solar eclipse Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A total solar eclipse occurs over Svalbard Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Partial Solar Eclipse Over Central Europe Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Partial solar eclipse is seen through clouds in Sofia Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Solar Eclipse, Yorkshire, Britain - 20 Mar 2015 Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-7.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Faeroes Europe Solar Eclipse Total Solar Eclipse 2015](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/solar-eclipse-2015-9.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com