August 12 eclipse in France approaches: five questions answered

The moon will pass between the earth and the sun on the evening of August 12, plunging France and the UK into a rare near-total solar eclipse. 

A total solar eclipse will be observable in eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and in parts of northern Spain and Portugal, however millions of people in Europe and Africa are still gearing up to watch the partial eclipse.

This event is particularly rare as the last total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe took place in 1999, while in Spain the last total eclipse over the mainland was in 1905.

We look at some important points to consider if you plan to observe the spectacle, including when to watch and how you can protect your eyes. 

When exactly will the eclipse be visible?

In France, the eclipse will begin on August 12 at around 19:30 with its maximum coverage at around 20:15-20:30.

Free online simulators such as Photo Ephemeris and EclipSEOP can help determine when the eclipse will be visible in different areas, as well as the best time to observe it. See this Connexion article for advice on how to use them. 

Note that times displayed by EclipSEOP are in Coordinated Universal Time, meaning two hours must be added for France, and one hour for the UK.

Remember to double check local times if planning to watch the eclipse outside of France. 

Will the eclipse be visible near you? 

Although France will not experience a total eclipse, some areas will see almost all of the sun covered, however the extent of coverage and the possibility of clear skies will vary depending on location.

Up to 99.5% of the sun will be obscured in parts of the south-west, around 97.8% in Toulouse, more than 96% in Bordeaux, Montpellier and Marseille, 92.2% in Paris and around 89.9% in Strasbourg. 

Totality should be visible from parts of northern Spain, with the sun being completely obscured for almost two minutes in some areas. 

You will also be able to see the partial eclipse from around the UK, with up to 96% of the sun obscured for viewers in the far south-west.

Where should I watch the eclipse? 

When the eclipse begins, the sun will be low above the horizon, appearing as a crescent.

For this reason, coastal areas, hilltops and landscapes with unobstructed western horizons will offer the clearest views, as long as the sky is clear.

You should also aim for a spot with low light pollution. 

Look out for local community pages or astronomy groups to see if anywhere near you is hosting an observation event. These events are often organised to take place in locations with clear viewpoints. 

Do not forget that the weekend before the eclipse (August 7-9), France’s ‘Nuits des Etoiles’ (Nights of the Stars) festival will be taking place, with even more astronomy and stargazing events to enjoy.

How can I protect my eyes from the eclipse?

During the eclipse, most of the sun will be covered, however looking at it directly without proper protection can still permanently damage your eyes. 

For this reason, those wanting to watch the event should purchase special protective glasses.  

Glasses should come from a reputable supplier with an identified manufacturer and include instructions for safe use. They should also state compliance with the ISO 12312-2 standard for solar viewing filters. 

Regular sunglasses or damaged eclipse glasses are not suitable. 

Children under the age of three must not be allowed to view the eclipse, while older children and adults should not look for more than three consecutive minutes with appropriate protection, to allow eyes to rest.

The French government recommends immediately consulting an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or calling 15 if, in the hours following the eclipse, you notice a loss of vision, spots in your vision, blurred vision or distorted images.

Can I take a picture of the eclipse?

If you want to take a photo of the eclipse, do not under any circumstances remove your eclipse glasses. 

Equipment such as a camera or mobile phone could get damaged as a result of the eclipse so it is recommended to use a special neutral density solar filter to protect your equipment.

You should also adjust your camera settings to ensure that very little light actually passes through the lens, which could otherwise damage your camera sensor.