Three Celestial Spectacles in One Day: Istria and Kvarner
A partial solar eclipse, a six-planet alignment, and the Perseid meteor shower will mark Wednesday, August 12. The Rijeka Astronomical Center is preparing a special program for visitors.
A partial solar eclipse, a six-planet alignment, and the Perseid meteor shower will mark Wednesday, August 12. The Rijeka Astronomical Center is preparing a special program for visitors.
Astronomy enthusiasts and the curious alike will be able to enjoy a rare sequence of celestial events tomorrow. During Wednesday, August 12, 2026, three spectacles will unfold in the sky above Croatia: a pre-dawn alignment of six planets, a partial solar eclipse in the early evening, and the Perseid meteor shower at night. The best viewing conditions are expected in Istria and the Kvarner region.
The first act of the celestial show begins just before sunrise. Six planets will align along the ecliptic, with the best viewing time being 30 to 60 minutes before local sunrise. In Rijeka and its surroundings, the sun rises at 5:57 AM, making an early start well worth it.
Dinko Brautović from the Rijeka Academic Astronomical Society urges people to get up early to witness this rare sight. The alignment will be visible to the naked eye, and it is best observed from a location with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.
The second and most visually striking event of the day will be the partial solar eclipse. Although parts of Europe will witness a total eclipse, from Croatia it will be visible as a partial one, with the best views in Istria and Kvarner. According to astronomical calculations by Timeanddate, in Pula the eclipse begins at 7:27 PM and reaches its maximum at 8:12 PM. In Rijeka, the maximum occurs a minute earlier, around 8:11 PM, with the eclipse also starting at 7:27 PM.
Since this all happens just before sunset, it is crucial to find a location with an unobstructed view of the western horizon. Brautović also warns of the necessary caution: never look at the sun with the naked eye, but only with appropriate certified eclipse viewing protection.
To cap off the day, as soon as darkness falls, the traditional summer spectacle takes center stage, the Perseid meteor shower. The Rijeka Astronomical Center has announced a rich nighttime program for Wednesday, starting at 8:30 PM with the presentation "A Guide to the Night Sky." The program continues at 9:30 PM with the lecture "Small Bodies of the Solar System," while from 10:30 PM, telescope observation is planned at the observatory, with prior registration required.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy watching "shooting stars" on their own from the panoramic terrace of the Astronomical Center, which offers one of the most beautiful views of the Bay of Rijeka. This central summer event attracts numerous locals and tourists vacationing in Kvarner.
