A once-in-a-four-year opportunity: for two hours on Tuesday, October 25, people across Switzerland will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. Here’s what you need to know about when and how to safely watch the eclipse in Switzerland.

Partial solar eclipse visible in Switzerland on October 25

If the weather is fair, people in Switzerland will be able to witness a solar eclipse on October 25. Although not as spectacular as a full solar eclipse, it is still a sight to behold - especially since Switzerland won't see a total solar eclipse until September 3, 2081!

A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon passes between the sun and the earth, darkening the skies and, if it’s a total eclipse, practically turning day into night. The last time a solar eclipse could be seen in the alpine nation was in June 2021, when 7 percent of the sun was covered by the moon. 

When will the solar eclipse peak in Switzerland?

This year, between 11.14am and 1pm (with the peak expected at 12.11pm) on October 25, Switzerland will be treated to a far larger eclipse than in 2021. A minimum of 16 percent coverage is expected in Swiss ski resorts and areas of the south, right up to 18 percent in Basel and other northern cities. 

While the weather in Switzerland is expected to be foggy in the morning, Watson has reported that it should burn off by the time of the eclipse. The country should expect sunny conditions for the rest of the day.

Make sure to safely view the solar eclipse on October 25

Of course, if you do plan to look at the eclipse, be sure to take adequate precautions as staring directly into the sun - or via binoculars, cameras and telescopes, could damage your eyesight. Solar eclipse glasses, a pinhole camera or an obscura can be used to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays. 

Several organisations across the world will also be holding live streams on the day, to allow you to catch the action without risking any harm to your eyes, including the Royal Observatory in London, NASA and the planetarium in Hamburg. 

When is the next solar eclipse visible in Switzerland?

If you miss the eclipse this year, it will take a while before you are able to see one in Switzerland again, with the next solar eclipse due on August 12, 2026. However, it is set to be a cracker, with more than 90 percent of the sun expected to be covered by the moon!