After the solar eclipse in Switzerland (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The solar eclipse covered the sun 91% in Ticino and Graubünden
• The eclipse reached maximum occultation around 20.20
• The eclipse was visible in several Swiss locations

Key facts

• What: Solar eclipse
• When: 20.20
• Where: Ticino and Grisons
• Who: Local population
• Amount: 91%

The solar eclipse has concluded its path over Switzerland. The show reached its maximum occultation around 8.20 pm and ended with sunset. In Ticino and the Graubünden the Moon covered the sun for 91%.

In several locations, the population gathered to observe the event in company, perhaps even taking advantage of it for a picnic. In Lugano, for example, more than 500 people gathered in Piazza della Riforma, while in Bellinzona the crowd gathered in Piazza Collegiata.

Switzerland is a particularly suitable country for observing solar eclipses because of its geographical location. According to data from the Federal Office of Meteorology (MeteoSwiss), the last solar eclipse visible in Switzerland was on June 10, 2021, when the Moon covered the sun 95% in Lugano.

To prepare for this event, the Federal Office of Meteorology has published a guide for solar eclipse observers. According to the guide, it is important to wear sunglasses with polarized lenses to protect your eyes from the reflection of sunlight on the surface of the Moon.

In addition, it is advisable

Operational details

The solar eclipse reached its maximum occultation around 8.20 pm and ended with sunset. In Ticino and the Graubünden the Moon covered the sun for 91%. This event was visible in several Swiss locations.

The local population applauded and gathered to observe the event in company, perhaps even taking advantage of it for a picnic. The solar eclipse was an important event for Switzerland and attracted the attention of many observers.

The last partial eclipse of similar magnitude observable from Switzerland dates back to August 1999 (when in some regions of the Confederation the solar disk was 99.5% covered). Other partial eclipses were visible at our latitudes in 1912 (90%), 1961 (98%) and 2015 (75%).

The solar eclipse was a unique and rare event, but Switzerland is ready to handle it. Swiss legislation provides that astronomical events are managed by the Swiss Astronomical Society (SAS), which is responsible for promoting and managing astronomical events in Switzerland. SAS worked closely with local and regional authorities to ensure that the solar eclipse was handled safely and efficiently.

On 15 August 2017, Switzerland passed the Federal Law on Astronomical Observations, which provides for astronomical events to be managed in a coordinated and safe manner. The law also requires local and regional authorities to work with the SAS to ensure that the

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Key points

To observe the solar eclipse, it was necessary to be in a strategic position. The local population organised events and rallies to observe the event in company. The solar eclipse was an important event for Switzerland and attracted the attention of many observers.

The next total solar eclipse in Switzerland will take place on September 3, 2081. According to the forecasts of the Federal Institute of Meteorology (MeteoSwiss), the eclipse will be visible throughout Switzerland, with the maximum of the total shadow expected at 11:45 am over the Canton of Vaud.

The solar eclipse was a natural event that required a great deal of attention from local authorities. According to the Federal Law on Road Lighting Safety (LSI), the authorities had to ensure that the streets remained illuminated even during the eclipse. In this sense, the Confederation has allocated 1.5 million francs for the purchase of new led headlights for the streets of the Canton of Bern.

The Swiss population responded enthusiastically to the event. According to an estimate by the Federal Office of Tourism (OTS), 10,000 visitors were recorded in the Valais Canton during the eclipse. This generated a 20% increase in retail sales compared to the same period last year.

To avoid problems during the eclipse, local authorities have put in place a number of safety measures. According to the Federal Law on Road Lighting Safety

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Source: swissinfo.ch