August 2026 partial solar eclipse in Europe

On 12 August 2026 a partial solar eclipse covered most of the Sun’s disc across central Europe. In Jena, Germany the eclipse reached about 86.5 % obscuration, peaking at 20:11 local time as the Sun hung low in the western sky. Four days later the region experienced a near‑total lunar eclipse, adding to a busy astronomical week.

In Italy, health authorities warned of the risk of permanent retinal damage from viewing the eclipse without proper protection. Local astronomy groups organized free public viewings in locations such as Marina di Pisa’s Piazza delle Baleari and Peccioli’s Piazza della Chiesa, providing telescopes fitted with ISO‑12312‑2 solar filters and distributing certified eclipse glasses. Adults were urged to supervise children throughout the event.

Both countries highlighted the importance of safety measures while offering opportunities for amateur astronomers to observe the eclipse and related celestial events, such as Venus and Saturn visible in the twilight sky.