On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Mercurius Observatory is hosting a special evening event centered on the partial solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower. The event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
Visitors are welcome at the observatory starting at 6:00 p.m. We’ll begin with short presentations and a brief planetarium film about the solar eclipse. Since we’re expecting a large number of visitors, the sessions will be brief, and for some activities, space is limited.
The partial solar eclipse begins around 7:17 p.m. If the weather is clear, we’ll walk together to a suitable location nearby to safely view the eclipse. Around 8:11 p.m., the eclipse reaches its peak, with approximately 90% of the Sun’s diameter covered. Around 9:03 p.m., the eclipse is over.
Starting at 9:00 p.m., the evening will be all about shooting stars and the Perseids. Visitors will receive a brief explanation of the phenomenon and, weather permitting, can go outside to watch shooting stars. Other celestial objects can also be observed through the telescope. Shooting stars themselves are best seen with the naked eye. Even if it’s cloudy, the program will continue with short presentations, a planetarium show, explanations, and visual material. Reservations are strongly recommended.
