At noon on June 10, the first partial solar eclipse in six years will be visible in our skies.
Thursday is the day to put on a good pair of sunglasses and look up at the sky. Because from 12.20 to 12.40 pm, we can enjoy one of nature’s most impressive and rarest phenomena: a partial solar eclipse.
During the two hours that this event will last, the new moon will move in front of the sun and partially cover it, up to 8.6 percent here in Stuttgart.
As familiar as the phenomenon sounds, a solar eclipse is actually rare due to the many factors involved. It can only occur at new moon and only when the moon is exactly between the earth and the sun. However, due to the inclination of the moon’s orbit, the moon usually passes above or below the sun.
This means that at its zenith, the moon will cover a much smaller proportion of the sun than further north. For comparison: In Siberia, the Arctic and Greenland, our natural satellite will move centrally in front of the sun – and still not cover it completely.
In any case, those who want to admire the celestial event should use certified protective eyewear, as staring at the sun for too long (even during an eclipse) can be dangerous. Hopefully the weather will also help a little.