GENEVA, Switzerland – A total eclipse of the heart Sun takes place this Friday 20 March when the Moon transits over the Sun peaking at around 10:30 local time.

The total solar eclipse begins at 9:20 and should be finished by 11:40, not to be seen again over Switzerland until 2081, with a few minor exceptions starting in 2021.

Unfortunately, the celestial event will only be partially seen in Geneva (70%); but according to Nasa, “You can be hundreds of miles from the theoretical point of Greatest Duration and still enjoy totality lasting within a fraction of a second of the maximum possible.”

How to see it: To fully appreciate it, glasses or other instruments such as planetary telescopes or Solarscopes will be necessary. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health FOPH recommends purchasing shades expressly made to look at the sun and avoid cardboard glasses at all costs.

Where to see it: The Geneva Art and History Museum along with the Geneva Astronomical Society are hosting a viewing gathering beginning at 9:00 at the Perle du Lac Park.

Who on Earth can see it:  See the map courtesy of Timeanddate.com.

Featured image by Nasa: “On Jan. 30, 2014, beginning at 8:31 a.m EST, the moon moved between NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, and the sun, giving the observatory a view of a partial solar eclipse from space. Such a lunar transit happens two to three times each year.  This one lasted two and one half hours, which is the longest ever recorded.”

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