On 12 August, between approximately 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Switzerland. The peak will occur at 8.18 pm, when the moon will cover 91 per cent of the sun’s disc. It is not a total eclipse, but with only 10 per cent of the Sun visible, the drop in light will be very striking. It is well worth finding a spot with a clear view of the horizon and making sure you’re ready in advance.
The path of totality is a narrow strip less than 300 kilometres wide. To see the eclipse in its entirety, you’ll need to go to Iceland, Greenland or northern Spain. It’s no coincidence that hotel prices in Mallorca and along the Cantabrian coast have risen sharply in recent months: eclipse-watchers have been booking well in advance. For those of you with family in Spain or a trip planned for those dates, it’s a good excuse to adjust your plans.
The last comparable eclipse seen from Switzerland was in 1999. It was never a total eclipse: from here, only a partial eclipse was visible. The next total solar eclipse visible from Swiss territory won’t be until 3 September 2081. So, if you want to see the whole thing one day and don’t want to wait fifty-five years, Spain is the nearest option.
To observe it, you’ll need a pair of glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection and can damage the retina. You can find them at opticians or online shops. If you live near an observatory or a local astronomical society, they’ve most likely organised something.