Astronomers describe the upcoming partial eclipse as one of the most impressive in recent years – at the moment of maximum phase, the Moon will cover up to four-fifths of the Sun’s diameter.
In Riga, the eclipse will begin at 20:06, reach its maximum phase at 20:57, and at 21:11, the partially eclipsed Sun will disappear below the horizon. In other regions of Latvia, the sunset time will differ, and thus the progression of the eclipse will vary. In the eastern part of the country, the maximum phase will coincide with sunset, while in the west, there will be about 20 minutes between the maximum phase of the eclipse and sunset.
The partial solar eclipse will be visible across Europe, while in a narrow band over Spain and Iceland, it can be seen as a total solar eclipse. The last total solar eclipse observed in Latvia was in 1954, and the next one is not expected until 2142.
The astronomical society urges people to choose a location with a good view of the western horizon for observing the eclipse and reminds them of safety measures – one should not look at the Sun with the naked eye or through optical devices without special solar filters, as this can cause irreversible damage to vision. It is safest to use certified filters or to project the image of the Sun onto a screen.
