Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Ramstein and Spangdahlem locations in Europe brought hundreds of military-connected community members together to celebrate the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse, the first visible eclipse from mainland Europe in nearly 30 years. 

Through community-wide Solar Eclipse Watch Parties, the Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus sites created opportunities for military members, families, students and local partners to gather, learn and safely experience a rare astronomical phenomenon. More than 600 people attended the event at Ramstein Air Base, while more than 300 joined the celebration at Spangdahlem Air Base.

At Ramstein, Michela Figueroa, assistant site director, organized a large-scale watch party outside the Ramstein Education Center. The event was made possible through partnerships with the University of Maryland Global Campus in Europe, the Ramstein Education Center, Ramstein and KMC Girl Scouts, and the Ramstein Fire Department’s 86th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Ramstein and Spangdahlem locations in Europe brought hundreds of military-connected community members together to celebrate the Aug. 12 total solar eclipseThe evening featured a variety of family-friendly activities, including a do-it-yourself solar eclipse viewer station, solar eclipse bracelet crafts, chalk mural creations and a bubble activity area. Attendees also enjoyed a special appearance by Embry-Riddle’s mascot, ERNIE the Eagle, along with food, refreshments and music. Certified eclipse glasses allowed guests to safely observe the eclipse while enjoying the event with friends, family and neighbors.

At Spangdahlem Air Base, Sara Bemisdarfer, site director, and Whitney White, assistant site director, hosted a community-wide celebration that welcomed more than 300 attendees. The event brought together Embry-Riddle and community partners, including the Spangdahlem Education Office and Library, University of Maryland Global Campus in Europe, the American Red Cross and Boy Scouts Troop 165.

Embry-Riddle helped create a memorable, family-friendly experience by providing certified eclipse-viewing glasses, complimentary ice cream and a planet-themed educational game that gave children an opportunity to learn about astronomy while winning prizes. Community partners added to the festivities with activities and refreshments. The American Red Cross hosted a lemonade stand and distributed treats, while the Spangdahlem Education Office and Library offered giveaways and interactive activities for children. Boy Scouts Troop 165 introduced Kubb, a traditional outdoor lawn game, along with additional recreational activities for attendees of all ages.

The events also provided an opportunity for community members to experience the science behind the spectacle. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, casting its shadow across Earth’s surface and temporarily obscuring the sun. Although the sun is approximately 400 times larger than the moon, it is also roughly 400 times farther from Earth. This remarkable coincidence allows the two bodies to appear nearly the same size in the sky, creating the conditions for a total eclipse.

The Aug. 12 eclipse was particularly significant for observers in Europe. It was the first total solar eclipse visible across portions of Europe and the Iberian Peninsula in 27 years, following the previous eclipse in August 1999. A comparable eclipse will not be visible across the region again until July 2075. While observers in Spain experienced totality, locations across Europe saw varying levels of coverage. In the military communities around Ramstein and Spangdahlem, the eclipse began at approximately 7:20 p.m. and reached maximum obscuration of nearly 89% at 8:13 p.m.

Adding another dimension to the evening, the annual Perseid meteor shower coincided with the eclipse. As the skies darkened, observers had enhanced conditions for viewing one of the year’s most active meteor showers, with peak activity approaching 100 meteors per hour.

The Solar Eclipse Watch Parties reflect Embry-Riddle’s ongoing commitment to supporting its military-connected communities and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement beyond the classroom. By partnering with organizations throughout Ramstein and Spangdahlem, Embry-Riddle helped turn a rare astronomical event into an evening of education, connection and community — creating memories that will last long after the eclipse passed.