Eclipse over Luxembourg: How to see the celestial show without going blind
Jongsun Lee, Unsplash
On Saturday, 29 March 2025, one of the most spectacular celestial phenomena - a private solar eclipse - will take place over Luxembourg. For almost two hours, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, covering its disc by 19.6%. The phenomenon will be visible across the country, beginning at 11:16, peaking at 12:07, and ending at 12:59. Although the eclipse will not be total, even this partial moment will create a striking experience - especially given the current period of high solar activity.
Forecasters predict cloudier skies in northern areas such as Éislek than in the south, but not completely overcast. Sunny "gaps" are possible, which gives hope for a successful observation.
It is important to remember: watching the Sun without special protection is dangerous. It is impossible to look at the eclipse with the naked eye, even for a fraction of a second - it can cause permanent damage to the retina.
Safe ways include:
- ISO certified eclipse glasses (no sunglasses will do);
- solar filters for telescopes and cameras;
- projectors with apertures that allow you to look at the Sun indirectly.
Before use, check that the filter is intact and free of scratches or holes.
Solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes in line with the Earth and the Sun. Although the Sun is 400 times larger than the Moon, it is also 400 times farther away from us, and because of this coincidence, their apparent sizes in the sky are almost identical. When the Moon orbits close to the Earth (at perigee), it can completely cover the Sun, resulting in total eclipses. If an eclipse occurs when the Moon is farthest from the Earth (at apogee), an annular shape - a "ring of fire" - occurs.
In history, eclipses have often served as milestones in science. For example, in 1919, during a total solar eclipse, British astrophysicist Arthur Eddington proved that the Sun's gravity bends the light of distant stars - a crucial confirmation of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
While in ancient times eclipses were feared and considered ominous signs, today they have become a cause for scientific interest and public engagement. As researchers from Cornell University put it in a commentary for RTL: "Once seen as omens, eclipses are now moments of public fascination and scientific discovery".
In addition, the March eclipse coincides with the period of solar maximum - spots, prominences and other phenomena are especially active on the star's surface now. This makes the event especially attractive for photographers and amateur astronomers.
If the weather lets you down this Saturday, don't be disheartened: on 12 August 2026, Luxembourg will again be in the area of a private eclipse, this time with almost 90% coverage - almost like a total eclipse. And on 2 August 2027, the private eclipse will repeat, with a total eclipse visible in North Africa and Southern Europe.
