Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Stargazers in the Northeastern U.S. and parts of Europe and Africa are in for a treat: a partial solar eclipse will grace the sky, creating a spectacular sunrise on Saturday, March 29. This celestial event, occurring just weeks after a striking blood moon lunar eclipse, promises a unique astronomical spectacle. However, visibility of this partial solar eclipse will be limited to the Northeastern United States, eastern Canada, Western Africa, and Europe.
Partial Solar Eclipse Visible This Weekend
Solar eclipses, in their various forms—partial, annular, total, or hybrid—occur two to five times annually. However, the crucial factor determining their visibility is the location on Earth.
Within the United States, the approaching partial solar eclipse will be observable to varying degrees from Washington, D.C., and across thirteen states. These include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Observers in northeastern Maine, along with southwestern New Brunswick and eastern Quebec in Canada, may witness a captivating “double sunrise.” This phenomenon occurs when the moon’s silhouette shapes the emerging sun, making it appear as if two “horns” are rising from the horizon.
Understanding a Partial Solar Eclipse
During a partial solar eclipse, the moon positions itself between the sun and Earth, but not in perfect alignment. Consequently, the moon casts only a partial shadow on Earth, enveloping sections of the Northern Hemisphere.
Unlike a total solar eclipse, such as the anticipated event in April 2024, a partial eclipse arises because the sun, moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned. For this Saturday’s partial solar eclipse, the moon will only obscure a portion of the sun, resulting in its characteristic crescent appearance, according to NASA.
Viewing Times and Locations for the Partial Solar Eclipse
The partial solar eclipse will commence in the Northeastern U.S. in the early hours of Saturday, approximately at 4:50 a.m. ET, and conclude around 8:43 a.m. ET.
Below are key U.S. cities offering optimal viewing opportunities for the partial eclipse. The times listed indicate when the partial eclipse becomes visible with proper solar viewing glasses, along with the percentage of the sun obscured. NASA notes with an asterisk (*) that sunrise occurs after the partial eclipse has already begun in these locations.
- Baltimore, MD (3% coverage): Visible from 6:55 a.m.*, ending at 7:02 a.m.
- Boston, MA (43% coverage): Visible from 6:31 a.m.*, ending at 7:07 a.m.
- Buffalo, NY (2% coverage): Visible from 7:02 a.m.*, ending at 7:09 a.m.
- New York, NY (22% coverage): Visible from 6:44 a.m.*; ending at 7:04 a.m.
- Philadelphia, PA (12% coverage): Visible from 6:49 a.m.*, ending at 7:03 a.m.
- Portland, ME (64% coverage): Visible from 6:27 a.m.*, ending at 7:10 a.m.
- Washington, D.C. (1% coverage): Visible from 6:56 a.m.*, ending at 7:01 a.m.
Safety Guidelines for Observing the Solar Eclipse
NASA emphasizes the importance of eye safety when viewing a partial solar eclipse. It is crucial to use certified solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Regular sunglasses, regardless of their darkness, are not safe for solar observation.
The space agency further advises against looking at the sun through camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars while wearing eclipse glasses or using a solar viewer. Such combinations can lead to severe eye damage. When using optical devices, a specialized solar filter must be securely attached to the front of the equipment to ensure safe viewing of the partial eclipse.
For those without eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers, NASA recommends indirect viewing methods, such as constructing a pinhole projector, as a safe alternative.