Programme for the solar eclipse and the Perseids on 12 August 2026

Latest news: Solar eclipse glasses and the event at Utkiek starting at around 6.30 pm, first meteor sightings

Information on solar eclipse glasses: Over the past few days, we have received many enquiries about where to purchase glasses. We have, of course, made provisions and have several hundred pairs available. These will be distributed both at the family afternoon at the school and at Utkiek. Naturally, this is subject to availability. As the moon will only gradually eclipse the sun, the solar eclipse glasses can easily be shared amongst several members of a family or group. We will therefore be distributing the glasses on a first-come, first-served basis and ask for your cooperation so that as many people as possible can experience this wonderful event.

The glasses are free of charge, though the school’s Friends’ Association would appreciate a small donation.

Current programme

Other events in which the university is involved:

Official international live stream on Time and Date: https://www.timeanddate.com/live/eclipse-solar-2026-august-12

Live broadcast of the ‘Long Night of Astronomy’: https://www.lange-nacht-der-astronomie.de

First images of the Perseids from 10–11 August 2026

(Individual images and videos at https://meteorwatch.uol.de/)

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Solar eclipse on 12 August 2026

On Wednesday, 12 August 2026, an exceptionally deep partial solar eclipse will be visible in Oldenburg. In the evening, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, covering approximately 86 per cent of the Sun’s disc. The eclipse will take place shortly before sunset, which may make for a particularly atmospheric spectacle — provided there is an unobstructed view to the west. In Germany, the solar eclipse will not be total, but it is set to be one of the most impressive partial solar eclipses of the coming years. Important: The Sun must only be observed using suitable, certified solar eclipse glasses or approved solar filters.

Perseid meteors

On the night following the solar eclipse, it’s also worth looking up at the dark sky: the Perseids will peak around 13 August 2026 . This well-known meteor shower is active every summer and occurs when the Earth passes through the dust trails left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. Conditions will be particularly favourable in 2026, as the Moon will cause hardly any interference at the time of the peak. The best way to observe the Perseids is in as dark a place as possible, without binoculars or a telescope — simply lie down, scan the sky and be patient.

In co-operation with LEB-Lower Saxony, the Astro-AG, the Oldenburg Astronomy Society and the Freie Schule Oldenburg, we are planning an informative programme on 12 August 2026 at two locations focusing on the solar eclipse and the Perseids; both venues are within walking distance of each other.

Family afternoon with the Tiny Observatory in the school playground of the Freie Schule Oldenburg (FSO, Burmester Str. 5–7)

From 4.30 pm at the , we invite you to a public family afternoon at the Tiny Observatory. At various stations, we’ll explain how telescopes work, what a solar eclipse is and why shooting stars are also called meteors. Real rocks from space will be on display for you to touch, and refreshments and light snacks will be provided. As a first highlight before the solar eclipse, we’ll launch a weather balloon into the sunset and attempt to capture images of the eclipse from the edge of the atmosphere. During the eclipse itself, we’ll be showing a live stream from several locations across Europe, so you can experience the total solar eclipse live. The family afternoon is being organised in collaboration with the Space Club of the Freie Schule Oldenburg, the FSO Friends’ Association and LEB Lower Saxony .

The LEB and University of Oldenburg’s Tiny Observatory. Here you can see it in action in Sage and Syke (from 2:05)

Public viewing at the Utkiek in Oldenburg

Just a short walk from the FSO school playground, we will be offering a live viewing of the solar eclipse at the Utkiek from 7.00 pm. Members of the University of Oldenburg’s Astronomy Society and the Oldenburg Astronomy Society will be on hand with telescopes and to offer advice and assistance, enabling you to see the eclipse with your own eyes.

Live streams

The University Observatory will itself publish live streams and observations of the solar eclipse and the Perseids on its YouTube channel and website. We will also be taking part in the‘Long Night of Astronomy’.

This illustration and the video show the progression of the solar eclipse in Oldenburg. The Moon will first pass in front of the Sun at 19:14. The Sun’s altitude above the horizon will then be approximately 14.6° (about 1.5 fists high). To help you visualise this, we have also given the altitude in typical human measurements. Stretch out your arm, make a fist and place the underside of your fist as if it were resting on the horizon. The top of your fist will then be about 10° above the horizon. At the peak of the solar eclipse, the Sun’s altitude will be just 3–4 fingers’ width. The illustration shows the respective stages of coverage.

The video shows some of the meteors recorded with the Allsky7 video cam system on the roof of the university in 2025.