Partial Solar Eclipse on Wednesday: Here's When It Begins
Zagreb Observatory organizes a special evening program, and in western parts of Croatia, the Moon will cover more than 90 percent of the Sun's disk.
Zagreb Observatory organizes a special evening program, and in western parts of Croatia, the Moon will cover more than 90 percent of the Sun's disk.
Residents of Croatia will be able to witness one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This is a partial solar eclipse, and the event is made even more special by the fact that it will occur at dusk, just before the Sun disappears below the horizon.
Although the total phase of the eclipse will not be visible from our region, the sight promises to be impressive. In the western parts of the country, the Moon will cover more than 90 percent of the Sun, while in the rest of Croatia, the eclipse will be somewhat less pronounced but still clearly noticeable.
According to information from the Zagreb Observatory, the eclipse will begin in most Croatian cities between 7:25 PM and 7:30 PM. In Zagreb, the first contact between the Sun and the Moon will occur at 7:25 PM, in Osijek at 7:26 PM, in Rijeka around 7:27 PM, in Pula at 7:28 PM, in Zadar and Split around 7:29 PM, and in Dubrovnik around 7:30 PM.
Given that sunset will follow between 7:53 PM and 8:17 PM, depending on the location, observers will only have the chance to see the beginning of the eclipse. For the best experience, it is recommended to choose a spot with an unobstructed view to the west or northwest, ideally on a hill or open space where buildings and trees do not block the horizon.
To mark this occasion, the Zagreb Observatory has prepared an evening program for visitors, running from 6 PM to 11 PM. Before the eclipse begins, attendees will be able to attend a lecture on the phenomenon itself and the rules for safely observing the Sun. After that, the eclipse will be tracked through solar telescopes equipped with appropriate protective filters. At the same time, a live broadcast of the total solar eclipse from Spain will be shown, where the entire course of this rare event can be followed.
"It is important to emphasize that one should never look at the Sun with the naked eye or through binoculars or a telescope without appropriate protective filters. For safe observation, only certified glasses or filters designed for solar viewing should be used, as otherwise permanent eye damage can occur," the Zagreb Observatory stated for Osijek Express.
Those who miss this year's eclipse won't have to wait long for the next one. As early as August 2, 2027, the next partial solar eclipse will be visible from Croatia. However, for a total solar eclipse visible from Croatian soil, one will have to wait until September 3, 2081.
