Overview
- The partial eclipse, on Wednesday, 12 August, begins shortly after 19:00 CET, reaches its local maximum around 20:06–20:16 depending on city, and ends by about 21:00 as the Sun sets.
- Observers in southern and south‑western Germany can expect the greatest coverage, roughly 89–92 percent of the Sun, while northern and eastern areas see lower percentages.
- The Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz requires CE‑marked solar filters that transmit at most about 0.001 percent of sunlight and warns that binoculars, telescopes or cameras must have fitted solar filters or not be used for direct viewing.
- Many planetariums, observatories and broadcasters including the ESA will run public events and livestreams, but demand for certified eclipse glasses is high and some local organizers report limited on‑site supplies.
- Weather will decide visibility and planning; small cloud fields or blocked western horizons can ruin the view, and the Perseid meteor shower peaks the night after the eclipse under a new moon if skies clear.