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Partial Solar Eclipse to Grace Skies Across Parts of Northern Hemisphere
Another celestial event is approaching. This Saturday, the moon will project its shadow onto the Earth’s surface, a phenomenon observable as a partial solar eclipse for people in sections of the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, and Africa. While less spectacular than a total solar eclipse, such as the one that traversed the U.S. last year, this partial eclipse offers an opportunity to pause and contemplate our place within the solar system. During the eclipse, the moon will appear to obscure a portion of the sun, though the extent will vary depending on location, and cloud cover may hinder visibility. Crucially, because the sun’s surface will not be fully blocked, it remains unsafe to view this partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection.
When to Witness the Solar Eclipse
The viewing experience of this partial solar eclipse will differ across regions where it is visible. The degree of solar coverage and the timing of the event depend on your specific location. Consult your local weather forecast to ascertain cloud conditions.
NASA has released eclipse timing details for several major cities, available here.
In North America, the eclipse will commence early in the morning around sunrise, with the sun already partially obscured for many as it ascends.
Eclipse Visibility Path: Where to Observe
Saturday’s eclipse will be discernible across the Northern Hemisphere, spanning a region encompassing both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike total eclipses, this partial eclipse affects a broader area and lacks a sharply defined path.
Within the United States, observers along the Northeast coast will experience the most significant obscuration. For instance, Boston viewers can expect to see 43 percent of the solar surface covered at 6:38 a.m. Eastern Time. In New York City, the sun will be approximately 22 percent eclipsed at 6:46 a.m. Further south, in Washington, D.C., a minimal 1 percent eclipse will occur at 6:59 a.m.
The maximum solar coverage will transpire much further north. In northern Quebec, Nunavut, and much of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, individuals will witness over 90 percent of the sun obscured by the moon.
Across the Atlantic, residents of northern and western Europe, along with the northwestern coast of Africa, will see the solar eclipse peak during late morning or early afternoon. In northern Russia, the eclipse will occur later in the day, potentially closer to sunset in certain areas.
The duration of the eclipse can exceed an hour in locations such as Halifax, Nova Scotia, as the moon gradually traverses over 83 percent of the sun, reaches its maximum, and then recedes. Conversely, in Buffalo, where the eclipse peaks at just 2 percent, it will last a mere seven minutes.
Eclipse Weather Forecast: Will Clouds Obscure the View?
The Mid-Atlantic region appears to offer the most favorable conditions for eclipse viewing within the United States. Potential breaks in cloud cover are anticipated across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Further north, overcast skies are likely to impede observation of the solar eclipse in areas like Boston. Cloudy weather is also expected throughout eastern Canada.
“There’s going to be a lot of cloud cover in the Northeast,” stated Richard Bann, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
Observers in parts of Europe and Africa may encounter more fortunate conditions. Paris, France, and Madrid, Spain, are potentially well-situated for viewing the eclipse, with clear skies predicted over sections of western Europe. Casablanca, Morocco, presents another viable option, as sunny weather is projected for northwestern Africa.
However, much of England is expected to experience wet conditions on Saturday, and cloud cover is probable across northern Europe.
Understanding a Partial Solar Eclipse
Solar eclipses arise when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking all or a portion of the solar surface from our perspective.
The most dramatic instance is a total solar eclipse, where the entire sun is concealed, and its outer atmosphere, known as the corona, becomes visible for a few minutes at the eclipse’s peak. This phase is termed totality.
In contrast, this Saturday, only a segment of the sun will be obscured during what is categorized as a partial solar eclipse. This occurs when the Earth, moon, and sun are not perfectly aligned. Unlike totality, the sky will not darken sufficiently during a partial solar eclipse to reveal stars or planets in daylight, and animal reactions are typically less pronounced.
Safe Viewing: Do You Need Eclipse Glasses?
Direct viewing of the sun, even momentarily, can inflict permanent damage to your eyes. Due to the absence of pain receptors in the retina, this damage can occur without immediate sensation.
The same precaution applies during a partial solar eclipse. However, several methods exist to protect your eyes while still witnessing the event. If you retained certified solar eclipse glasses from the previous total solar eclipse, they are reusable, provided they remain undamaged, unscratched, or otherwise compromised.
Exercise caution regarding counterfeit eclipse glasses and solar viewers. A list of reputable vendors, compiled by the American Astronomical Society, can be accessed here.
If obtaining eclipse glasses is no longer feasible, you can safely observe a projection of the eclipse onto the ground using household items. Options include constructing a pinhole projector from cardboard or sturdy paper. Alternatives include utilizing a kitchen colander, a wide-brimmed hat, or even employing crossed fingers to create a pinhole projection.
When Will the Next Solar Eclipse Occur?
According to NASA, another partial solar eclipse is anticipated on Sept. 21, primarily visible from Australia. A total solar eclipse is projected for summer 2026, observable in northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
For those unwilling to wait, two total lunar eclipses are also forthcoming, one this September and another next March. Unlike total solar eclipses, which are visible only along a narrow path on Earth’s surface, total lunar eclipses are widely visible across the nighttime side of Earth.