Solar eclipse in October: When and where can the sky spectacle be seen?

Created: 10/21/2022 5:06 am

By: Martina Lippl

A solar eclipse can be seen on October 25, 2022 in Germany.

In the middle of the day, the moon moves between the earth and the sun.

Here you will find the most important information about the partial solar eclipse.

Berlin – It is always fascinating when the sun darkens during the day.

Now it's that time again: A solar eclipse can be seen on October 25 (Tuesday) in Germany - but only a partial solar eclipse.

The moon moves between the earth and the sun and covers a maximum of 30 percent of the sun.

The spectacle takes place in the midday sky and is expected to last two hours.

This is announced by the Association of Star Friends.

The partial solar eclipse can be seen across Central Europe, of course only if the weather cooperates.

The peak of the partial solar eclipse in October 2022 will therefore take place between shortly after 12 p.m. and 12.30 p.m. – earlier in the west than in the east.

Solar eclipse on October 25th: Where can the sky spectacle be seen in Germany?

Depending on the location, the moon covers between around 20 and more than 30 percent of the sun, the star friends explain.

The visibility of the partial solar eclipse 2022 is best in northeastern Germany.

On the island of Rügen, the sun darkens by more than 35 percent.

But the sky event can also be observed in the rest of the country.

In the southwest of Germany, however, the partial solar eclipse is less pronounced.

"So everyone can take a look at the sun during their lunch break and marvel at the darkness," says the Sternfreunde website.

In Kiel, the moon begins to move in front of the sun at 11.07 a.m., in Berlin as well as in Cologne at around 11.10 a.m., in Munich the spectacle begins shortly after 11.14 a.m.

Around an hour later, the maximum coverage is reached, which decreases from northeast to southwest.

Solar Eclipse: Does Looking at the Sun Go Blind?

Particularly important

: Solar eclipse glasses!

It doesn't matter from which position you look up at the sky to observe the sun.

Sunbeams can cause permanent eye damage.

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Looking directly at the sun can burn your retina.

The damage can lead to a loss of visual acuity or, in extreme cases, even to blindness.

Particularly insidious

: there are no pain receptors on the retina.

There is no warning signal, as the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) expressly points out.

The cornea is also at risk of injury.

Burns from sunlight only become noticeable after hours.

Particularly dangerous

: Anyone who looks at the sun directly through binoculars, cameras or a telescope can suffer permanent eye damage in seconds.

Because the sun's rays are bundled in the burning glass.

Special filter attachments and foils would be offered in specialist shops.

Sunglasses or welding goggles, CDs or soot-blackened glasses are also unsuitable and dangerous.

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A young man observes the solar eclipse with solar eclipse glasses (archive photo).

© imago

Solar eclipse glasses: scratches and holes are taboo

Solar eclipse glasses marked with the CE symbol are considered safe according to the applicable EU standards.

They must not have any scratches or holes and should be as close as possible to the face.

The BfS emphasizes that the glasses should let through no more than 0.001 percent of the sunlight.

The highest radiation protection authority recommends the so-called camera obscura as a particularly safe method for observing the solar eclipse.

It is easy to build yourself and is also suitable for children.

Why is a solar eclipse so rare?

A solar eclipse can only occur at new moon when the moon is directly between the sun and the earth.

Due to the inclination of the moon's orbit, however, it usually passes above or below the sun.

There are a maximum of two to four solar eclipses per year somewhere on earth.

In terms of astronomy, there is still a lot to do this year.

With a bit of luck, shooting stars can be seen in the night sky in November – the Leonid meteor shower.

A solar eclipse in Germany will be observed at the end of March 2025.