Partial solar eclipse: the astronomical event tomorrow, August 12th

On August 12th, the Italian sky will be the scene of a partial solar eclipse, a phenomenon that will mainly affect the north-west of the country.

According to estimates, the Moon's coverage of the Sun will reach 93% in Turin, while in the South, such as Naples, it will hover around 55%. The event will be observable between 7:30 PM and 8:40 PM, but visibility could be affected by weather conditions, with possible clouds during the eclipse.

To facilitate observation, several initiatives have been organized in Piedmont. The Superga hill is one of the best spots to witness the phenomenon at sunset. The City of Turin and GTT have expanded public transportation: bus line 79B will offer additional evening services, and the Sassi-Superga funicular will operate hourly from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Infini.to Planetarium in Pino Torinese is offering Combonight, combining eclipse observations with those of the Perseids, the summer shooting stars. A digital simulation of the total solar eclipse will also be available. Also in the province of Turin, in Alpette, a telescope observation of the Moon's first contact with the Sun will be held, followed by a live broadcast of the total eclipse observed in Spain and stargazing sessions under the planetarium dome.

Finally, the philatelic exhibition “Solar Eclipse in the Space Age” is on display in Susa until August 21st, with a special postmark scheduled for the day of the event.

Astronomer Walter Ferreri emphasizes the scientific importance of eclipses, which are still studied today by space missions such as SOHO and the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter. To observe the phenomenon safely, it's recommended to use certified dark lenses, avoiding common glasses or unsuitable instruments that could damage your eyesight.