Upper Austria captures partial solar eclipse in striking images

Thousands of people across Upper Austria watched Wednesday evening’s partial solar eclipse, while readers sent photographs to ORF Upper Austria, the broadcaster reported.

The eclipse began at 7.23 p.m. as the Moon moved in front of the Sun. The images, now collected in a slideshow, show the event from different parts of the region, including hills, lakes, balconies and gardens.

The four-image series includes a reflected “double eclipse” photographed by Jasna Tschernitz in Kleinzell in the Mühlviertel, the Sun behind a power line captured by Jakob and Daniel in Neußerling, an image from Piberbach sent by Jürgen Föls, and a photograph taken in Bad Leonfelden.

ORF Upper Austria reporter Roland Huber also covered the event live from a boat on Lake Attersee in the Vöcklabruck district, where many people gathered to watch the astronomical spectacle.

Experts said that almost 90 percent of the Sun was obscured in some parts of Upper Austria. Many amateur photographers and astronomy enthusiasts had prepared specifically for the event.

Astrophysicist Manuela Stadlober-Temmer described the eclipse as a “rare celestial spectacle”. Photographer and Sternwerkstatt founder Dietmar Hager had also pointed to the unusual colours on the horizon as the Sun gradually set.

The night leading into Thursday brought another celestial event: the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.