Antwerp Sees Rush on Eclipse Glasses Ahead of August 12 Solar Eclipse
Belgians are scrambling to secure proper eye protection ahead of Wednesday’s solar eclipse, with the museum shop at Antwerp’s MAS museum selling 1,200 eclipse glasses in a single hour on Monday morning. The exceptional demand comes as experts urge the public to heed eye safety lessons from the 1999 solar eclipse, warning that improper viewing can cause permanent retinal damage.
The VRT NWS liveblog reports that the MAS museum shop opened exceptionally on its usual closing day to meet the overwhelming demand. “It is insane, in one hour 1,200 eclipse glasses were sold this morning,” a shop spokesperson said. The glasses cost 3 euros each, and the shop is open from 10:00 to 18:00 on Monday.
The Largest Eclipse Since 1999
On Wednesday, August 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across Belgium, with the moon covering approximately 90 percent of the sun at maximum from Brussels. The eclipse begins at 19:18, reaches its peak at 20:13, and ends at 21:05. According to VRT NWS, this is the largest solar eclipse visible in Belgium since the total eclipse of August 11, 1999. An eclipse of similar magnitude will not be visible again in the country until 2081.
The total eclipse will be visible from northern Spain, parts of Iceland, Greenland, and Russia. In Spain, hotel prices in cities along the path of totality have surged by up to 800 percent as eclipse chasers flock to the region.
Nationwide Stock Shortages
The rush on eclipse glasses extends far beyond Antwerp. Volkssterrenwacht Urania in Hove has sold 150,000 eclipse glasses this year, including 50,000 in the past week alone, according to VRT NWS. Director Marc Van den Broeck says the remaining 30,000 glasses will be the last, as reordering takes three weeks. “Since the eclipse appeared in the media, everything has exploded,” he said.
Opticians across Belgium are also experiencing severe shortages. RTBF reports that suppliers are out of stock, with some shops placing customers on waiting lists. “Every 30 minutes someone comes in or calls looking for glasses,” said Thierry Segaert, spokesperson for the Association professionnelle des opticiens. “Unfortunately, we have been searching all our suppliers for a week and there are none left.” Sylvie Renders, an optician in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, described the demand as “real madness,” adding: “I was already working in optics in 1999 and I do not remember such enthusiasm.”
Eye Safety Lessons from 1999
Experts are drawing on research from the 1999 eclipse to underscore the importance of proper eye protection. A study published in The Lancet tracked 45 patients who presented at the Leicester Royal Infirmary eye emergency services within nine days after the 1999 eclipse. Of these, 20 had visual symptoms and 5 had visible retinal alterations, according to RTBF. Four patients still had symptoms seven months later.
The retina has no pain receptors, meaning damage can occur without immediate awareness. Even brief exposure of just a few seconds can cause symptoms such as blurred vision or small dark spots in the central visual field. “Never look directly at the sun, not even at a setting sun that seems less bright,” warns ophthalmologist Liselotte Aerts. “You can suffer permanent eye damage.”
Proper eclipse glasses must filter 100 percent of UV radiation and be compliant with the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard. The Belgian Federal Public Service Economy warns consumers to check for CE marking, noting that eclipse glasses are classified as Personal Protective Equipment under EU Regulation 2016/425. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide adequate protection.
A Unique Viewing Opportunity
The MAS museum will host a free eclipse viewing event on its rooftop on August 12 from 19:00 to 21:15, with telescopes set up by Volkssterrenwacht Urania. No reservation is needed, and the 360-degree panorama above Antwerp offers an ideal vantage point for the celestial spectacle.
Beyond the public excitement, the eclipse also offers scientific opportunities. The European Space Agency plans to use the event to study the sun’s corona using its Proba-3 satellites, with the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy involved in the research.
As Wednesday approaches, the message from experts is clear: enjoy the spectacle, but do so safely. With supplies running low across the country, those still seeking certified eclipse glasses should act quickly — or risk missing out on a celestial event that won’t return for another 55 years.