How to watch the August 12 partial solar eclipse across Germany

Germany will experience a striking astronomical event on Wednesday evening as the moon slides in front of the sun, obscuring as much as ninety percent of the solar disc. The phenomenon, known locally as the Sonnenfinsternis, will be visible from most of the country between roughly 7.10pm and 8.56pm local time.

For sky‑watchers and casual observers alike, the eclipse offers a rare chance to see daylight turn into an eerie twilight, temperatures dip and shadows stretch at odd angles. It also provides a natural reminder of the importance of eye safety, looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause permanent retinal damage.

Timing and regional differences

Because the moon’s shadow sweeps across the continent, start times vary by a few minutes. In the far north, towns such as Flensburg and List auf Sylt will see the eclipse begin at 7:11pm, while the southern Alpine resort of Oberstdorf won’t notice the first bite until 7:24pm.

In the capital, Berlin, the darkening starts at 7:15pm, reaches its maximum at 8:08pm and ends just before sunset at 8:34pm. Hamburg follows a similar schedule, with peak coverage at 8:07pm. In the south, Munich and Stuttgart see the eclipse begin at 7:22pm and peak at 8:15pm, while Düsseldorf and Cologne experience a peak at 8:12pm. The western fringe of the shadow clears around 8:56pm.

How to watch safely

Direct viewing requires glasses that meet the DIN EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard. Ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient.

Experts warn that you should never look directly at the sun without adequate protection, and sadly sunglasses are not enough.

Retail outlets have reported rapid sell‑outs, but some venues, such as the Planetarium Berlin, are distributing certified glasses to visitors.

If you cannot obtain certified glasses, consider indirect methods like a pinhole projector or observing the eclipse’s effect on shadows. For a step‑by‑step guide, see our explainer on what to do if you can’t find eclipse glasses in Germany.

Where to set up

Choose a spot with an unobstructed view of the western horizon, a flat park, a rooftop terrace or a hilltop works best. In Berlin, Tempelhofer Feld offers a wide, open field free of tall trees. Many planetariums and observatories are also hosting special viewing sessions.

Weather forecasts suggest scattered clouds in the north, but overall conditions should be clear enough for a good view. As the day will still be warm, bring water and sunscreen for the pre‑eclipse period.

Beyond the eclipse

Later that night, the sky will host the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, offering another chance to spot shooting stars, especially from dark‑sky locations away from city lights.

The next total solar eclipse visible from Germany won’t occur until 2081, making this partial event a valuable reminder of how infrequent such celestial alignments are. A further partial eclipse is scheduled for 2 August 2027, but coverage will be only 30‑50% depending on location.

For live coverage, the European Space Agency will stream the event from the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre in Spain on its YouTube channel.