Countdown to the Next Solar Eclipse in North America: Essential Information in 100 Days
Countdown to the Next Solar Eclipse in North America: Essential Information in 100 Days
Which upcoming solar event should you mark in your calendar? It's the partial solar eclipse happening on Saturday, Mar. 29, 2025. But where on Earth you reside will determine if you'll get a glimpse of the sun partially hidden by the moon.
Although not as spectacular as the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, sweeping across North America, this event is expected to put on a stunning show from our continent.
Here's a lowdown on the first and most anticipated solar eclipse of 2024:
What's a Partial Solar Eclipse?
This phenomenon occurs when the moon cruises in front of the sun, partially obscuring it. However, on Mar. 29, approximately 94% of the sun could be concealed, making it a significant partial solar eclipse. Battling for a spot to view this spectacle with the eclipse-enthusiasts eager for Apr. 8, 2024, will be a challenge. Sunglasses will be a necessity throughout the event.
What Transpires During a Partial Solar Eclipse?
The new moon, appearing invisible, gradually moves towards the sun, biting a chunk out of it. The bite grows larger, reaches its maximum size, and then gradually diminishes, with the sun's disk returning to its entirety. The pivotal stage during a partial solar eclipse is usually the peak, when the moon covers the most significant portion of the sun. However, for North Americans, the crucial moment could be witnessing an eclipsed sunrise.
Where Can You Spy the Eclipse?
This partial solar eclipse is only visible from the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and northwest Africa. Although parts of North America will see the eclipse, it won't be a continent-wide phenomenon. Only those in the northeastern extremities of the U.S, especially those in the far northeast, will be treated to an eclipse sunrise – a rare and breathtaking sight. New Brunswick and far north Quebec in Canada offer the optimal location for this, but the U.S., from Pennsylvania to Maine, will also catch a glimpse of an eclipsed sunrise. However, heading northward will ensure a deeper and longer eclipse.
Elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, the western coast of Greenland can look forward to a mid-morning eclipse with up to 86% coverage. Iceland's Westfjords may witness around 70%, Dublin 41%, London 30%, Paris 23%, Berlin 15%, and Casablanca, Morroco 18%. The Severnaya Zemlya archipelago, a usually icy Arctic group of islands, will miss out on the eclipsed sunset.
When Does the Eclipse Commence?
The partial solar eclipse will unfold from 08:50 to 12:43 UTC, from 4:50 a.m. to 8:43 a.m. EST. The duration varies at each location, spanning from a few minutes to several hours. For precise timings, visit the eclipse calculator on timeanddate.
The forthcoming solar eclipse – also a partial – is scheduled for Sept. 21, 2025, and will only be visible from Tasmania (Australia), New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Antarctica.
Wishing you unobstructed views and wide-eyed wonder.
Mark your calendars for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, if you're interested in a more spectacular event. However, the partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, is a significant event as well, with approximately 94% of the sun likely to be concealed. Don't forget to buy solar eclipse glasses for this event.
During a partial solar eclipse, the new moon moves towards the sun and partially obscures it. The peak of the eclipse is when the moon covers the most significant portion of the sun, and for North Americans, this could potentially be during an eclipsed sunrise.
This partial solar eclipse is visible from the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and northwest Africa. While parts of North America will see the eclipse, only those in the northeastern United States, particularly far northeast regions, will witness an eclipsed sunrise.