Latvians gather to watch partial solar eclipse — first sight like this in 15 years

On Wednesday evening, August 12, people across Latvia had the chance to observe a rare celestial event — a partial solar eclipse. The Moon gradually moved across the Sun's disc, and at the peak of the eclipse a distinct crescent of sunlight was clearly visible in many parts of the country. According to available information, such a pronounced eclipse had not been seen in Latvia for 15 years.

Watched across the country

People gathered outdoors to witness the phenomenon firsthand and capture it in photos and videos. The event was recorded in several regions of Latvia, including Vecdaugava, Saulkrasti, Riga, Bulduri, Cēsis and Jelgava. Visibility varied by location due to changing weather conditions and cloud cover, meaning the view was not equally striking everywhere.

How a solar eclipse occurs

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon positions itself directly between the Earth and the Sun, partially or fully blocking the Sun's disc from view on Earth. This time, Latvia experienced a partial eclipse, which reached its maximum shortly before 9 p.m.

Traffic disruption afterward

After the eclipse, traffic jams formed in Carnikava as a large number of onlookers left the viewing site at the same time. Since such eclipses are not an everyday occurrence, many residents took the opportunity to look up at the sky and capture the unusual sight, which will not repeat for several more years.