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A partial solar eclipse graced parts of Europe, including Germany, on Saturday. However, cloud cover hampered viewing in some areas, with observers in certain regions missing the peak celestial event as the Moon obscured up to one-fifth of the Sun.
Eclipse Peak and Duration
The partial solar eclipse reached its maximum point at approximately 12:15 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST) (1115 GMT) and remained visible for an additional 50 minutes.
Optimal Viewing Locations in Germany
According to Carolin Liefke of the House of Astronomy in Heidelberg, western and northwestern Germany offered the most favorable viewing conditions. As predicted, southern and southeastern regions experienced denser cloud cover.
The optimal viewing area stretched across a band from Schleswig-Holstein to Saarland. Even in easternmost Germany, Liefke noted that skygazers could still observe the phenomenon through breaks in the clouds.
Cloud Forecast and Sky Conditions
Prior to the event, the German Weather Service (DWD) tempered expectations for completely clear skies, which would have offered unobstructed views of the celestial spectacle.
Partial Eclipse Skywatchers in Britain
Skygazers across Britain also gathered to witness the partial solar eclipse.
Eclipse Timing and Observations in London and Sussex
The eclipse reached its apex in London around 11:00 am and was visible across parts of the UK between approximately 10:00 am and noon.
Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society, speaking from Lewes, Sussex, at roughly 11:00 am, described the enthusiastic atmosphere to the PA news agency: “There’s a really nice crowd of people, everybody’s really excited, there’s people wearing eclipse glasses, looking through the telescopes we’ve got set up. We’re loving it and it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great public atmosphere, it’s a really nice event. There’s a huge amount of enthusiasm about it.”
Massey continued, “As expected, the Moon started moving in front of the Sun about an hour ago; it’s got a bit under an hour to go and it’s blocking out some of the Sun. It’s not like the landscape or the light looks different if you’re not looking at the eclipse, but if you’re looking through a telescope then you see this really obvious bite. One of my colleagues here has a colander and through that, you can see little pinholes of the sun with the bite out of it as well. I think you could guess it’s running into the tens of thousands watching with events like this, there’s local astronomy groups across the UK who are doing it.”
Astronomer Imo Bell at the Royal Observatory Greenwich commented at 11:15 am, “There’s been nothing unexpected, but that’s the cool thing, we’ve known this has been coming for a very long time. We have the technology and the understanding of space now to predict these things almost to the second. I, along with thousands of people, are watching. I’m in Oxford right now, we reached a bit more than 30% obscurity of the Sun.”
Visibility Across Wider Regions
Weather permitting, the partial solar eclipse was visible across Europe, Greenland, northwestern Africa, and Newfoundland.
Safety Precautions During Solar Eclipse
- Authorities cautioned individuals to avoid direct viewing of the sun without proper protection, especially when using binoculars or telescopes.
- Specialized eclipse glasses were recommended for anyone wishing to observe the event.
Understanding Solar Eclipses
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
Due to the slight tilt of the Moon’s orbit, solar eclipses are not monthly occurrences.
Future Eclipse Events in Europe
For those keen on future events, another partial solar eclipse is anticipated in Europe on August 12, 2026, projected to cover over 80% of the Sun.
However, a total solar eclipse in the region is not expected until 2081.