Partial Solar Eclipse Visible Across Finland This Evening
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across most of Finland this evening, with up to 85 percent of the Sun’s diameter obscured in some regions. The phenomenon will begin before 8:00 PM in much of the country, reaching its peak between 8:40 and 8:55 PM, depending on the location.
The eclipse will be deepest in northern Finland, where up to 85 percent of the Sun’s disk will be covered in areas such as Kilpisjärvi and Utsjoki. In southern Finland, including Helsinki, the coverage will reach approximately 83 percent (Iltalehti). The event will conclude after sunset in most areas.
Viewing Conditions and Safety
Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for viewing, particularly in western and northern Finland. Yle meteorologist Elias Paakkanen reports that the evening will be mostly clear, though some clouds may affect eastern Finland and northern Lapland (Yle).
Experts emphasize that the eclipse must not be observed with the naked eye, as even brief exposure can cause permanent eye damage. Proper solar viewing glasses are required, and homemade filters—such as darkened glass, CDs, or foil—are unsafe. Alternatively, the Sun can be projected onto a surface using a colander or binoculars (Yle, Iltalehti).
Timings by Location
The eclipse will begin and peak at slightly different times across Finland. Below are the key timings for selected cities, as provided by Ursa (Iltalehti):
- Helsinki: Begins at 8:00 PM, maximum (83%) at 8:52 PM, ends after sunset.
- Turku: Begins at 8:00 PM, maximum (83%) at 8:53 PM.
- Tampere/Jyväskylä: Begins at 7:57 PM (Jyväskylä), maximum (83%) at 8:49 PM.
- Vaasa: Begins at 7:56 PM, maximum (84%) at 8:49 PM, ends at 9:40 PM.
- Oulu: Begins at 7:52 PM, maximum (84%) at 8:45 PM, ends at 9:36 PM.
- Rovaniemi: Begins at 7:49 PM, maximum (84%) at 8:42 PM, ends at 9:33 PM.
- Kilpisjärvi/Utsjoki: Begins at 7:43–7:45 PM, maximum (85%) at 8:37–8:39 PM, ends at 9:29–9:32 PM.
Additional Effects
The Astronomical Society Ursa notes that the eclipse may cause a slight drop in temperature and temporary changes in wind patterns as the Moon blocks the Sun’s thermal radiation (Yle).
A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain, though Finland will only experience a partial eclipse.
For those without proper viewing equipment, live broadcasts of the event will be available from observatories, including Yle’s coverage from the Andromeda Observatory in Vaasa and Iltalehti’s stream from Ursa’s observatory in Kaivopuisto.
