AUGUST 10, 2026 – – On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, 2026, sky watchers in U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Ansbach and across Europe will witness a historic celestial event, a partial solar eclipse. This is the deepest solar eclipse visible in Germany since 1999, and the country will not see this much of the sun obscured again until July 2075.
A total eclipse will occur across a narrow corridor of the Earth—stretching across Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain— and Germany will be treated to a spectacular, deeply dramatic partial solar eclipse.
Eclipse Timing and Visibility in Ansbach
Because the eclipse occurs late in the evening, the event will unfold as the sun is low in the western sky. In Ansbach, the moon will begin to obscure the Sun’s disk while it is still several degrees above the horizon, culminating in a striking “sunset crescent” where the sun sets while still heavily eclipsed.
Phase progress:
Eclipse Begins (First Contact) 7:20 PM (19:20) – Local Time (CEST) The moon begins to make a small “bite” in the upper-right edge of the sun.
Maximum Eclipse (Peak) 8:13 PM (20:13) – Local Time (CEST) 87.8% of the sun’s disk is covered. Only a thin, downward-pointing crescent remains.
Sunset in Ansbach 8:39 PM (20:39) – Local Time (CEST) The sun sets on the western horizon while still roughly 60% eclipsed.
Eclipse Ends (Last Contact) 9:04 PM (21:04) – Local Time (CEST) The moon completely clears the sun’s disk (invisible from the ground).
The “Sunset Eclipse” Phenomenon
Because the peak of the eclipse occurs just 26 minutes before sunset, the landscape will take on an eerie, dimmed, and golden-orange hue. Standard daytime eclipses occur high in the sky, but the August 12 event offers a rare photographic opportunity: a sharp, fiery crescent sun sinking behind local landmarks like the Margrafen-Schloss (Ansbach Residenz) or the rolling Franconian hills. To view this, you must secure a viewing spot with an unobstructed, completely clear view of the west-northwest horizon.
A Celestial Double Feature
Adding to the magic of the evening, the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower occurs on the very same night (August 12–13, 2026). Because the eclipse coincides with a new moon, the night sky will be exceptionally dark. Once the sun-crescent sets and twilight fades, viewers in rural areas around Ansbach can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour streaking across the sky.
Hazards of Viewing a Solar Eclipse
Observing a solar eclipse is a highly rewarding experience, but doing so without proper protection can lead to permanent, irreversible physical damage.
Solar Retinopathy (Retinal Burns)
The primary danger of looking directly at the sun is solar retinopathy. When intense solar radiation hits the eye, the lens focuses this light directly onto the retina at the back of the eye. The light triggers rapid chemical reactions that destroy the rod and cone photoreceptors.
- The Painless Danger: The retina has no pain receptors. If you damage your eyes while staring at the sun, you will not feel it happening. The blind spots, blurred vision, or distorted color perception typically manifest several hours to a day after the exposure.
- No “Safe Window” in Ansbach: During a total solar eclipse, there is a brief window of 1 to 2 minutes when the sun is 100% blocked, making it safe to look with the naked eye. However, because Ansbach will only see a partial eclipse (87.8% maximum coverage), there is never a time when it is safe to look at the sun without protection. Even a tiny sliver of exposed sunlight is intense enough to cause permanent blindness.
The Failure of Everyday Filters
Many household items are mistakenly believed to be safe for solar viewing. None of the following items are safe: Standard sunglasses (even polarized or double-layered ones) Exposed photographic film or negatives CDs, DVDs, or floppy disks Smoked glass Smartphone camera screens (direct sunlight can also melt the camera sensor)
Safe Viewing Methods: Glasses & Pinhole Projectors
To enjoy the eclipse without risk, you must utilize either direct viewing filters or indirect projection methods.
Solar Eclipse Glasses
For direct viewing, you must use specialized solar eclipse glasses.
- ISO 12312-2 Certification: Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker than standard sunglasses. Ensure your glasses are certified under the international standard ISO 12312-2.
- Inspection: Always inspect your glasses before use. If you see any scratches, pinholes, wrinkles, or separation of the filter from the frame, discard them immediately.
- Optical Warnings: Never look through binoculars, a telescope, or a camera lens while wearing eclipse glasses. The concentrated light from these optical devices will instantly burn through the thin filter and destroy your eyes.
DIY Project: How to Make a Box Pinhole Projector
If you do not have eclipse glasses, you can easily and safely view the eclipse using an indirect projection method. A pinhole projector projects a miniature, safe-to-view image of the sun onto a white screen.
Materials Needed:
- A long cardboard box (such as a cereal box, shoe box, or mailing tube)
- A small sheet of clean, unwrinkled aluminum foil
- A sheet of plain white paper
- Opaque tape (such as duct tape or electrical tape)
- A sharp pin, needle, or thumbtack
- Scissors or a utility knife
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Cut the Viewing and Projection Openings: On one end of the cardboard box, cut two square holes (about 1 to 2 inches wide) next to each other, separated by a couple of inches. One hole will let the light in (the projection port), and the other will be your viewing window.
- Attach the Foil: Cover the projection port with a piece of aluminum foil. Tape it down securely on all sides so no light leaks through the edges. Ensure the foil is stretched flat and smooth.
- Poke the Pinhole: Take your pin or needle and gently poke a tiny hole in the exact center of the aluminum foil. The smaller and rounder the hole, the sharper the projected image will be.
- Install the Screen: Inside the box, on the end directly opposite the foil, tape your sheet of white paper. This acts as the projection screen.
- Seal Light Leaks: Use tape to seal any other seams, cracks, or gaps in the cardboard box to ensure the inside is as dark as possible.
- Test the Projector: Stand with your back facing the sun. Hold the box up and aim the foil-covered pinhole toward the sun behind you. Look into the viewing window. Adjust the angle of the box until you see a bright, inverted circle (or crescent) projected onto the white paper screen inside.
Story by Jonathan Bell
U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach