Overview
- The partial eclipse will be visible on Wednesday evening, 12 August, beginning around 19:10–19:25 with a peak near 20:10–20:15 and up to roughly 80–90 percent of the Sun covered in parts of Germany.
- The Federal Office for Radiation Protection and ophthalmologists warn that unprotected direct viewing can burn the retina within seconds and that injuries are initially painless and may be permanent.
- Safe direct observation requires certified solar-eclipse glasses that meet DIN EN ISO 12312-2:2015 with a CE mark, while ordinary sunglasses, improvised filters and unfiltered optical devices are unsafe.
- Many retail eclipse glasses are sold out, so planetariums, observatories and astronomy clubs are offering supervised viewing, certified AstroSolar foil for making viewers is available, and pinhole projectors or livestreams are recommended as safe last‑minute options.
- Hundreds of public events including the coordinated 'Lange Nacht der Astronomie' will provide filtered telescopes and projected views, weather may vary locally, and the next total eclipse visible from Germany will not occur until 2081.