Millions of people across Europe looked to the skies as a partial and total solar eclipse unfolded, providing a celestial spectacle accompanied by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, according to welt.de. From bustling observation points in Berlin to packed coastal viewpoints in Spain, crowds gathered to track the moon crossing in front of the sun.
In Germany, observers witnessed a partial solar eclipse, while parts of Europe experienced a complete blocking of the sun by the moon, as reported by welt.de. According to the German news agency dpa, the moon began moving across the solar disk at 19:15 local time, casting its shadow across the earth. Maximum coverage reached 85 percent by 20:08, before the phenomenon concluded around 20:37 as the sun set.
Berlin Crowds Gather at Planetariums and Transit Platforms
The capital saw gatherings at public spaces, parks, and transit hubs. According to welt.de, crowds packed Schloss Charlottenhof in Potsdam, platform areas on the Berlin S-Bahn, and the open grounds of the Tempelhofer Feld. Many spectators brought homemade filter boxes to view the event.
Interest centered around the Zeiss-Großplanetarium in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg. Police reported roughly 3,000 onlookers gathered on the plaza outside the planetarium, prompting authorities to close the nearby Prenzlauer Allee S-Bahn station. Other congregation points included the Schwedter Steg, bridges throughout Prenzlauer Berg, Gesundbrunnen, the Humboldthain flak tower, and the Lietzensee in Charlottenburg.
By contrast, quieter viewing spots existed. At the Zehlendorf S-Bahn station platform, a dpa reporter noted that just four people had gathered to watch the natural phenomenon. Meanwhile, in Hesse, parking lots near the Großen Feldberg filled up about an hour before the eclipse began, leading police to close the mountain’s upper access roads and advise spectators to watch from lower elevations.
Spanish Coastal Crowds and Tourist Influx
Further south, millions of residents and tourists in Spain anticipated a total solar blackout during the afternoon. According to media reports cited by welt.de, Mallorca experienced traffic congestion from early morning, particularly along the western coast around Sóller. Parking areas near scenic overlooks and bays within the Serra de Tramuntana filled hours before the eclipse, forcing some visitors to travel long distances after access roads were closed.
Among those traveling to witness the event was 24-year-old physics student Óscar Pérez. Traveling from Germany to the central Spanish town of Medinaceli, Pérez told reporters, “It is the first time in my life that I will experience a total solar eclipse in Spain. I do not know exactly when the next one will take place, so it is great to be able to see it now.” welt.de noted that the total solar eclipse started in northern Siberia.
Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks in the Neumondnacht
Following the eclipse, the night sky delivered a secondary astronomical event as the Perseid meteor stream reached its peak. Observers anticipated up to 100 meteors per hour under dark skies. Visibility was aided by the timing of the peak, which coincided with a new moon (Neumondnacht), ensuring no moonlight interfered with spotting the glowing streaks.
Tim Florian Horn, director of the Zeiss-Großplanetarium, told dpa that meteors were visible in Berlin before 23:00 despite light pollution. Guests gathered on the open-air grounds directly beside the planetarium cheered as shooting stars crossed the atmosphere. “Every shooting star is greeted with loud ‘Ah’ and ‘Oh’ gasps,” Horn said.
