On Wednesday evening, Danes will be able to witness something that will not be as spectacular again for another 22 years. The Moon will slide in front of the setting Sun, obscuring up to 85 percent of the solar disk.
If the weather cooperates and the sky stays clear, you could find yourself watching the wildest sunset of the century — topped off later in the evening by a meteor shower with as many as 100 shooting stars an hour.
We asked astrophysicist Tina Ibsen and astronomy nature guide Martti Holst Kristiansen of the Brorfelde Observatory what to expect and how best to prepare. Here are their answers.
What exactly is happening on Wednesday evening?
The Sun, the Moon and the Earth will line up perfectly, which is why a total solar eclipse will be visible in eastern Greenland, western Iceland and parts of Spain.
Here in Denmark, where we are in the Moon’s penumbra, we will see a partial eclipse, with between 83 and 85 percent of the solar disk covered by the Moon as the Sun sinks toward the horizon.
When should you have your eclipse glasses ready and watch the phenomenon?
It varies a bit depending on where you are in the country. But around 7:10 p.m., there will be ’first touch’, when the Moon and Sun, as people like to put it, kiss. The eclipse will peak a little after 8 p.m. and will end a little before 9 p.m., when the Sun will also dip below the horizon.
If you want to follow and watch the eclipse, you need to wear eclipse glasses to avoid damage to your retina. Alternatively, you can make a pinhole viewer or poke a hole in a sheet of paper, then watch the eclipse as it’s projected onto another sheet of paper or another suitable surface.
Where is the best place to experience the eclipse?
Find a spot with an unobstructed view to the west, because the eclipsed Sun will be low in the sky and heading down. So get out of the cities, or find a rooftop terrace or a hilltop with a clear view of the Sun. Or simply go to the place where you usually enjoy a sunset.
To get a sense of how low the Sun will be, hold a clenched fist at arm’s length and line it up with the horizon — that gives you a good measure of how low the Sun will be when the eclipse begins, corresponding to 13 degrees above the horizon.
The birds stop singing
Can you take photos of the eclipse with your cellphone?
Only if you do it through a pair of eclipse glasses. The sunlight from the 15 percent not covered by the Moon is so intense that it will overexpose everything in the camera and wash out the eclipse. That is also why you won’t be able to watch the eclipse with the naked eye, only through eclipse glasses.
Moreover, taking direct pictures of the Sun may also damage the camera lens.
Is there anything in particular you should pay attention to during the eclipse?
During the eclipse, it will get colder as the Moon covers more and more of the Sun. So even if the forecast calls for 21 degrees Celsius and sunshine on Wednesday evening, it’s wise to bring something warm to wear.
If you listen for birdsong, you may also notice birds beginning to chirp during the eclipse, much as they typically do at sunset. They will then fall silent when the eclipse is at its peak, before starting up again as the light returns, because they think it’s the beginning of a new day.
100 shooting stars an hour
What happens after the eclipse?
There is, in fact, good reason not to head home when the eclipse ends around 9 p.m. As darkness falls — and with a new moon at the same time — the Perseid meteor shower will bring as many as 100 shooting stars an hour around 11 p.m.
At that point, take off your eclipse glasses and turn your gaze to the northeast, where the radiant will be about 35 degrees above the horizon. So the eclipse will be celebrated with celestial fireworks!
There are many myths associated with solar eclipses. Which one are you thinking of, Tina Ibsen?
In ancient China, people believed it was a dragon coming to eat the Sun during a solar eclipse. So they brought pots, pans and drums and made a terrible racket to scare the dragon away.
Do you think Danes should do the same during Wednesday evening’s eclipse?
No, I think anyone hoping for a quiet experience in nature would get tired of all that noise.
What should you do if you want to share the experience with others?
Across the country, observatories, museums, science centers, nature centers, universities, researchers and educators are inviting children and adults to experience the phenomenon together. Many events are sold out, but check sol26.dk to find one that suits you.
For instance, astrophysicist Tina Ibsen is hosting an event at Naturcenter Amager Strand that is open to everyone, where 30,000 eclipse glasses will be handed out free of charge.
Astronomy nature guide Martti Holst Kristiansen will be at the Brorfelde Observatory for a sold-out event.
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