Solar Eclipse on Petřín Hill 🌒 Picnic & Sky Watching 😎🌇

Ever seen an 80% solar eclipse? Neither have we! Join us for a golden-hour picnic under a partial solar eclipse — blankets, snacks, music, and the best sky show Czechia has seen in decades. 🌒

No astronomy background needed — just bring something to sit on, something to eat, and a pair of eclipse glasses. Bonus points if you bring enough to share!

For better coordination, jump into this WhatsApp group.

📍 Štefánik Observatory, Petřín

🕒 THE PLAN:
6:30 PM — Meetup & Blanket Spot Claiming
We meet directly outside the observatory so you can still grab eclipse glasses on site. Stock may run out, so buy in advance if you can — or come with a sharing spirit.

Optionally, you can go inside the observatory for a small fee (120 CZK) and check out the eclipse via telescope.

Note: Entry to the gift shop to purchase the eclipse glasses is unrestricted.

7:19 PM — First Contact 🌘
The Moon starts nibbling the Sun's lower right edge.

8:12 PM — Maximum Eclipse 🌒
About 86% of the Sun covered. This is the money shot but not guaranteed.

Minutes later — Sunset 🌇
The Sun drops behind the horizon while still partly eclipsed, so we'll be watching a crescent sun set over Prague.

🌠 OPTIONAL SIDE QUEST:
Stay until ~2 AM on Aug 13 for the Perseid meteor shower. It peaks in the early hours of the 13th, and with a brand-new Moon, there's almost no moonlight — even faint meteors should be visible. Bring a warm layer and a second blanket. This quest may change depending on attendees' interest.

👓 EYE SAFETY — READ THIS:
Never look at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses. Not sunglasses. Not a phone camera. Not "just for a second." Get proper ISO-certified glasses.

🧺 What to bring:
Food, drinks, a blanket, eclipse glasses, a warm layer if you're staying for the meteors. Even nicer if you bring extra to share. 🎶 Music!