Following a recent total lunar eclipse and spectacular blood moon, skygazers are anticipating another celestial event: a partial solar eclipse. This astronomical phenomenon will produce a distinctive sunrise on Saturday, March 29th, visible primarily across the Northeastern U.S., eastern Canada, western Africa, and Europe.
Each year, Earth experiences between two and five solar eclipses, encompassing partial, annular, total, or hybrid types. Visibility is a crucial factor, determining where these events can be observed. In the U.S., the upcoming partial solar eclipse will be observable to varying degrees from Washington, D.C., and thirteen states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
A particularly noteworthy spectacle, a “double sunrise,” awaits fortunate observers in northeastern Maine, southwestern New Brunswick, and eastern Quebec, Canada. This occurs when the moon’s silhouette gives the rising sun the appearance of two “horns” emerging from the horizon.
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Understanding a Partial Solar Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse occurs as the Moon traverses between the Sun and Earth. This alignment results in the Moon casting a shadow across Earth, affecting sections of the Northern Hemisphere.
Unlike a total solar eclipse, such as the anticipated event in April 2024, this is a partial eclipse because the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned. During Saturday’s event, the Moon will only obscure a portion of the Sun, leading to a crescent shape, as explained by NASA.
Viewing Times and Locations
The partial solar eclipse will commence in the Northeastern U.S. in the early hours of Saturday morning, approximately at 4:50 a.m. ET, and will conclude by 8:43 a.m. ET.
Partial Eclipse Visibility in Major US Cities:
Below are key U.S. cities within the viewing area, along with specific times and estimated visibility percentages for observing the partial eclipse using certified viewing glasses. NASA notes that times marked with an asterisk (*) indicate the solar eclipse will have already begun at sunrise.
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Baltimore, Md. (3% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 6:55 a.m.*, ends at 7:02 a.m.
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Boston, Mass. (43% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 6:31 a.m.*, ends at 7:07 a.m.
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Buffalo, N.Y. (2% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 7:02 a.m.*, ends at 7:09 a.m.
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New York, N.Y. (22% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 6:44 a.m.*; ends at 7:04 a.m.
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Philadelphia, Pa. (12% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 6:49 a.m.*, ends at 7:03 a.m.
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Portland, Maine (64% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 6:27 a.m.*, ends at 7:10 a.m.
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Washington, D.C. (1% coverage): Partial solar eclipse visible at 6:56 a.m.*, ends at 7:01 a.m.
Safety Guidelines for Viewing
Essential Safety Advice from NASA:
NASA strongly advises skygazers that when observing a partial solar eclipse, it is imperative to use certified solar viewing glasses (also known as ‘eclipse glasses’) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. It is crucial to understand that eclipse glasses are not ordinary sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, regardless of their darkness, are unsafe for direct Sun observation.
The space agency further cautions against looking at the Sun through camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars while wearing eclipse glasses or using a solar viewer. Such actions can lead to severe eye damage. To safely observe a partial eclipse using optical devices, NASA recommends attaching a specialized solar filter to the front of the equipment.
For those without eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, NASA suggests utilizing indirect viewing methods, such as creating a pinhole projector.