Eclipse glasses sell out ahead of Austria’s partial solar eclipse

Specially made eclipse glasses are largely sold out ahead of Wednesday evening’s partial solar eclipse in Austria, ORF reported. The Moon will cover almost 90 percent of the Sun as it sets. The phenomenon begins at 7:22 p.m.

Checks at numerous opticians in and around the Lower Austrian capital of St. Pölten found that almost none still had suitable glasses available by Tuesday. Directly viewing the eclipse with the naked eye can permanently damage the eyes, even when much of the Sun is covered. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection.

The eclipse will take place from 7:22 p.m. to 8:13 p.m., with maximum coverage reached at 8:13 p.m. in Vienna, exactly at sunset. Up to 87 percent of the solar disc will be obscured, according to Michael Jäger of the Martinsberg Astronomical Centre in the Zwettl district.

Jäger said the event would be less impressive than the 1999 eclipse but would still be spectacular, with the Sun appearing as a crescent above the horizon. He recommended finding a location with an unobstructed view towards the west, such as a hill or viewing point where mountains, forests or buildings do not block the setting Sun.

The eclipse will be visible for longer further west. In Vorarlberg, the Sun will not set until 8:39 p.m.

Geosphere Austria expects a cloudless Wednesday evening across the country, followed by a clear night. These conditions should also be favourable for observing shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower, which is expected to reach its peak overnight into Thursday.

Jäger warned against using ordinary sunglasses or welding goggles in place of eclipse glasses, saying they allow harmful infrared radiation from the Sun to pass through. He said the next similar solar spectacle will not occur until 2070.