Finnish eclipse viewers snap up Ursa’s protective glasses

A partial solar eclipse visible in Finland next Wednesday has sparked strong interest, with thousands of protective glasses reserved by the Finnish Astronomical Association Ursa sold out, Yle reports.

The Sun will be obscured by up to 80 percent in Finland. Ursa’s office may still have film available for people to make their own solar viewing masks, astronomer Anne Liljeström said.

Liljeström recommends number 14 welder’s glasses for observing the eclipse, although they are difficult to find. The Sun can damage the eyes, so the eclipse should not be viewed without proper protection.

Kilpisjärvi offers the best view

The total eclipse will be visible in eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain. Some people from Finland are travelling to northern Spain to see the total eclipse, Liljeström said.

In Finland, the Sun will set before the final moments of the eclipse south of a line running approximately from Kaskinen to Kuusamo. Even there, no more than about 20 minutes of the eclipse will be hidden below the horizon, and the eclipse’s deepest phase will be visible above the horizon throughout the country.

Kilpisjärvi will have the best view in Finland, while Lappeenranta will have the poorest. Observers should be in position by 8.45pm next Wednesday at the latest.

The next total solar eclipse visible in Finland will occur in 2126. Liljeström described 2026 as a kind of hundred-years-before anniversary year.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun from the perspective of Earth. This eclipse is unusual because the Sun will be close to the horizon, meaning distant clouds in that direction could obstruct the view.

Tags: solar eclipse, Finland, astronomy