Thousands watch partial solar eclipse in Berlin and Brandenburg; Perseids meteor shower to follow

A partial solar eclipse drew thousands of spectators to Berlin and Brandenburg, transforming public spaces into impromptu viewing grounds. Crowds congregated at locations like Charlottenhof Palace in Potsdam and various spots in Berlin, including the Tempelhofer Feld, to witness the celestial event. Many attendees used homemade cardboard viewers to safely observe the moon partially obscuring the sun. The Zeiss-Großplanetarium in Prenzlauer Berg experienced a significant surge in visitors, prompting police presence to manage the approximately 3,000 people gathered. Despite the large turnouts in popular areas, quieter spots, such as an S-Bahn platform in Zehlendorf, offered a more serene viewing experience with only a handful of observers. The eclipse began around 7:15 PM, reached its maximum coverage of 85% at 8:08 PM, and concluded as the sun set around 8:37 PM. Following the eclipse, attention turned to the Perseids meteor shower, which was expected to reach its peak overnight, with astronomers predicting up to 100 shooting stars per hour, unhindered by moonlight due to the new moon phase.