A Celestial treat Awaits

Following the subdued lunar eclipse earlier this month, skywatchers are gearing up for a more prominent astronomical event: a partial solar eclipse on March 29th. While a total eclipse won’t be visible from any location,observers in certain regions will witness a portion of the sun obscured by the moon. For those in Germany, expect to see approximately 22% of the sun covered, a spectacle reminiscent of the solar eclipse observed in northern regions in June 2024.

Prime Viewing Time in Germany

Unlike the lunar eclipse,which occurred before moonset in Germany,this solar eclipse will be visible around midday,weather permitting. The event is expected to last roughly 90 minutes. Peak obscuration times are estimated to be around 12:15 p.m. in Erfurt,12:17 p.m. in Magdeburg, and 12:19 p.m. in Görlitz. As long as the sun is visible, the eclipse shoudl be observable without specialized equipment, though crucial safety precautions are necessary.

Safety First: Protecting Your Eyes

Warning: Looking directly at the sun, even during a partial eclipse, can cause severe and permanent eye damage.

It is indeed imperative to protect your eyes during the entire event. Safe viewing options include:

• Eclipse Glasses: Use certified solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
• Telescope with Solar Filter: If using a telescope, ensure it is equipped with a proper solar filter designed for safe solar observation.

Global Visibility and Eclipse Depth

According to visualizations from NASA, the eclipse will not be total anywhere on Earth. The extent of the sunS coverage will generally increase as you move closer to the North Pole [[3]]. In some parts of North america, the eclipse will occur at sunrise, creating a “devil’s horns” effect [[2]], while cities along the I-95 corridor in the US will have a brief window to view the partial eclipse before sunrise [[1]].

DIY Optical Experiments for Safe Viewing

Beyond direct observation with proper eye protection, you can also explore indirect viewing methods:

Binocular Projection

A standard pair of binoculars can be used to project an image of the eclipsed sun. Cover one of the lenses and point the binoculars at the sun. Project the magnified image onto a white sheet of paper or cardboard held at a distance. Never look through the binoculars directly at the sun.

Pinhole Camera

Construct a pinhole camera using a long box or tube.Seal the front of the box and create a tiny pinhole (approximately 1 millimeter in diameter). On the opposite side of the box, place a piece of translucent paper (like baking paper or matte film).Point the pinhole towards the sun, and an inverted image of the sun will be projected onto the paper. A smaller pinhole will produce a sharper image. the longer the box, the larger the projected image will be. For exmaple, a 1-meter-long box will create an image approximately 1 centimeter in diameter.

The smaller the hole, the sharper the picture, the experts write from the house of astronomy. The longer the box, the larger the picture.