Partial Solar Eclipse 2026 – Kamp-Lintfort

A partial solar eclipse over Germany

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. From Germany, the eclipse on 12 August will be visible as a partial solar eclipse.

The Moon will gradually move across the solar disc during the evening. The Sun will already be relatively low in the sky, which makes an open view toward the horizon especially useful.

Totality will be visible farther west along the eclipse path, including parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. From Kamp-Lintfort, we will see the partial phase.

What are we going to see?

During a partial eclipse, the Moon moves gradually across the Sun. The visible part of the solar disc becomes smaller and changes shape over the course of the event.

The sequence above gives a good idea of how the eclipse develops over time.

The plan

There are two parts to the evening. You can join the DIY session first or meet us later in Zechenpark.

18:00 — Synapse Room
We make simple pinhole viewers based on the NASA JPL activity.

19:00 — Zechenpark
We meet outside and choose an open observation point.

The exact location in Zechenpark will be shared as a live location in the WhatsApp group.

18:00 — DIY Pinhole Viewer

We meet in the Synapse Room, KAM 04 01 310 and make simple pinhole viewers.

A pinhole viewer allows you to observe a projected image of the Sun without looking directly at it.

As the Moon moves across the Sun, the projected image changes shape as well.

We are following the basic method from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory .

If you have a box, bring it

If you have suitable cardboard packaging at home, bring it with you.

A pizza box, spring roll box, pasta box, cereal box or something similar can be useful for the DIY.

We will also use simple materials such as:

• Aluminium foil
• White paper or card
• Tape
• A pin, paper clip or pencil

If you do not have a box, you can still join.

How does a pinhole viewer work?

A very small opening allows a narrow beam of sunlight to pass through. This creates an image of the Sun on another surface.

During the eclipse, that projected image shows the changing shape of the Sun as the Moon moves across it.

You look at the projection, not through the pinhole.

Even a small part of the Sun is extremely bright

During a large partial eclipse, the visible part of the Sun can become a narrow crescent.

Even then, the uncovered part of the Sun is still bright enough to damage your eyes.

Solar viewing safety

Never look directly at the Sun through the pinhole viewer.

The pinhole viewer is a projection method. Keep the Sun behind you and look at the image projected onto the card or inside the box.

Normal sunglasses are not suitable for direct solar viewing.

Looking directly at the Sun requires appropriate solar viewing equipment designed specifically for that purpose.

We will go through the correct use of the pinhole viewer together before heading outside.

19:00 — Zechenpark

At 19:00 we meet in Zechenpark Kamp-Lintfort.

Because the eclipse happens during the evening and the Sun will already be relatively low, we will choose an open area with a clear view toward the horizon.

The exact observation point will depend on visibility and conditions in the park.

The live location will be shared in the WhatsApp group.

More information

NASA JPL — How to Make a Pinhole Camera

Tagesschau — Partial Solar Eclipse over Germany

Timeanddate — 12 August Eclipse in Germany

DW — Solar Eclipse: What to Look Forward To

Photo Credits

• Photo by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash
• Photo by Matt Nelson on Unsplash
• Photo by Geronimo Giqueaux on Unsplash

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