Astrophysicist: Don't miss August 12 for spectacular celestial events in Lithuania

Lithuanians are set to experience a partial solar eclipse on August 12, an event astrophysicist Dr. Kastytis Zubovas describes as potentially impressive, especially given its timing just before sunset. While a partial eclipse cannot match the spectacle of a total one, its occurrence in the evening, potentially viewed over a large body of water like the sea or a lake, could offer a unique sight of a "horned" sun.

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A solar eclipse is always an impressive phenomenon, but the impressiveness of partial and total eclipses differs like day and night. Still, the fact that the sun will be most obscured in the evening, just before sunset, should make even this partial eclipse quite impressive, especially if observed by the sea or a large lake where nothing obstructs the western horizon. Then we should see a "horned" setting sun.

Dr. Zubovas strongly cautioned against direct solar viewing without proper protection. He emphasized the need for specialized "solar eclipse" glasses, explaining that regular sunglasses are inadequate. During an eclipse, the sun dims, causing pupils to dilate. Standard sunglasses do not filter out harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can then enter the eye and cause damage. Certified eclipse glasses, however, reliably filter out this radiation.

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One should not need to be reminded that looking at the sun with the naked eye would be an unwise decision. However, what inexpensive, convenient means could be used to observe the eclipse safely? One can buy "solar eclipse" glasses online – are they safe?

Adding to the celestial excitement, the night of August 12 coincides with the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower. The new moon phase, necessary for solar eclipses, will ensure exceptionally dark skies, providing ideal conditions for observing the meteors. Dr. Zubovas anticipates that observers could see up to 100 meteors per hour under optimal conditions, with the shower appearing to originate from the direction of the Perseus constellation but visible across the entire sky.

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I don't want to specifically say whether one particular product is "really good," but in principle, yes – you need special glasses intended for solar observation; regular sunglasses are not suitable. The reason is that during an eclipse, the sun dims overall, so when viewed through regular glasses, our pupils dilate, and then a lot of ultraviolet radiation enters the eyes because it is barely weakened. Eclipse glasses reliably filter out ultraviolet light.

The Perseids are debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, a phenomenon observed for centuries. Dr. Zubovas noted that meteor showers intensify in the latter half of the night as Earth moves into a denser stream of cosmic dust in its orbit. The abundance of these particles, he explained, is not expected to run out in the foreseeable future, ensuring future generations can also witness this August spectacle.

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August 12 and the surrounding nights will truly be special in this regard. The moon will be new; it cannot be otherwise, as solar eclipses can only occur during a new moon. So, the night sky will be exceptionally dark – perfect conditions for admiring meteors. The Perseid shower is one of the strongest of the year. It is estimated that under good viewing conditions, looking straight up, about a hundred meteors per hour could be counted – more than one per minute.