Belgium Braces for Biggest Solar Eclipse Since 1999

Belgium is preparing for its largest solar eclipse since 1999, set to occur on Wednesday, August 12, when the moon will cover approximately 90 percent of the sun. The partial eclipse will be visible across the entire country in the early evening, beginning at 19:18 CEST, reaching its maximum at 20:13 when the sun will be just 8 degrees above the horizon, and ending at 21:05, roughly coinciding with sunset, according to VRT NWS.

A Rare Celestial Event

This will be the largest solar eclipse visible from Belgium since the total eclipse of August 11, 1999. A partial eclipse of comparable magnitude will not be visible from the country again until 2081, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most Belgians.

The eclipse comes as the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, blocking sunlight. The moon’s shadow falls on a relatively narrow strip of the Earth’s surface, where observers see a total eclipse, while a much larger area in the penumbra sees a partial eclipse. The fact that the moon can cause a solar eclipse is a remarkable cosmic coincidence: the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun but also 400 times closer to Earth, making them appear the same size from our vantage point.

For those seeking the full spectacle, the total eclipse will be visible in northern Spain, the far north of Portugal, Iceland, and Greenland, with the Balearic Islands also in the path of totality. The maximum totality lasts 2 minutes and 18 seconds, occurring near the west coast of Iceland. This marks the first total solar eclipse to hit the European mainland since 1999.

Nationwide Rush on Eclipse Glasses

As the eclipse approaches, demand for certified eclipse glasses has surged dramatically across Belgium. The museum shop of the MAS in Antwerp announced it will open exceptionally on Monday, its usual closing day, from 10 AM to 6 PM to meet overwhelming demand. Eclipse glasses cost 3 euros at the shop, which has been receiving customers from across Flanders seeking certified eye protection, as reported by VRT NWS.

“In recent days we’ve seen demand increase day by day,” a MAS shop spokesperson said. “Meanwhile, we receive customers from all over Flanders who come specifically to the MAS shop for a certified eclipse glasses. With the exceptional opening, we want to give everyone the chance to get a safe eclipse glasses in time.”

The rush extends well beyond Antwerp. Volkssterrenwacht Urania in Hove has sold 150,000 eclipse glasses this year, including 50,000 in the past week alone, with 30,000 remaining in stock. “Since the solar eclipse appeared in the media, things have exploded,” said Marc Van den Broeck, director of Urania. “In 1999, the eclipse was announced months in advance, allowing us to spread out sales. Now people want to quickly get glasses within one week.”

Volkssterrenwacht Mira in Grimbergen has gone further, halting online sales entirely due to overwhelming demand. Customers must now pick up glasses in person, with a live counter on the observatory’s website showing remaining stock by the hour.

Safety First: Protecting Your Eyes

Health authorities and ophthalmologists are emphasizing that proper eye protection is non-negotiable. Looking directly at the sun without certified eclipse glasses can cause permanent retinal damage.

“Never look directly at the sun, not even at a setting sun that seems less bright,” warned ophthalmologist Liselotte Aerts. “You can suffer permanent eye damage.” She added that even regular sunglasses are insufficient: “They block direct sunlight but still let through harmful radiation, which can cause small burns on the retina.”

Improvised methods such as CDs, DVDs, or smoked glass provide no protection. Welding glass with a density of 14 or higher is a suitable alternative.

The Belgian Federal Public Service Economy (FOD Economie) has issued an official warning about purchasing eclipse glasses. Eclipse glasses are classified as Personal Protective Equipment under EU Regulation 2016/425 and must bear the CE marking. Consumers should verify the CE mark, manufacturer contact details, and that the product is specifically designed for direct solar observation. “The safety of your eyes leaves no room for improvisation,” FOD Economie stated. “With a few simple checks before your purchase, you can safely enjoy this special natural phenomenon.”

Scientific Opportunities

The eclipse offers more than a spectacular visual display; it presents a significant scientific opportunity. The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 satellites will use the event to study the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere layer. The Proba-3 mission involves two satellites flying in precision formation to create artificial solar eclipses, allowing continuous observation of the corona. The August 12 eclipse provides a chance to validate these findings against a real eclipse, with the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA) involved in the research.

“This is not only a scientific moment,” an ESA statement said. “It is also a very human moment. There is a real connection with the cosmos.”

Economic Ripple Effects

The eclipse is also making waves in the travel and energy sectors. Hotel prices in Spanish cities along the path of totality have surged by up to 800 percent for the eclipse date. Zaragoza saw the highest increase at 807 percent, followed by Soria (685 percent), Leon (654 percent), and Burgos (512 percent), according to an analysis by El Pais of 5,574 hotels in 201 major Spanish municipalities.

Meanwhile, European electricity grid operators are preparing for the eclipse’s impact on solar power generation. The European Commission reports the impact is expected to be limited because the eclipse occurs in the late afternoon.

What to Watch For

For Belgians, the advice is clear: secure certified eclipse glasses before they sell out, find a location with a clear view to the west-northwest horizon, and never look directly at the sun without proper protection. The Belgian coast offers an ideal viewing location.

For those who miss this event, the next total solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, visible from southern Spain, northern Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. From Belgium, however, only about half of the sun will be covered. A comparable partial eclipse won’t be visible from Belgium until 2081, and a well-visible total eclipse won’t occur until May 25, 2142.

As one customer at Urania put it: “I definitely don’t want to miss this eclipse, because I won’t be around for the next one.”