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Skywatchers are preparing for a celestial event in March 2025: a partial solar eclipse. This astronomical phenomenon, occurring on Saturday, March 29, follows a recent total lunar eclipse and promises a captivating display for observers in specific regions.
Partial Solar Eclipse Set for March 2025
Where to View the Eclipse
According to NASA, during this partial eclipse, the moon will journey between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow across parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike a total eclipse, such as the one witnessed in 2024, only a portion of the sun will be obscured, resulting in a distinctive crescent shape. It is crucial to remember that even during a partial solar eclipse, eye protection is essential for safe viewing.
The upcoming partial solar eclipse will be visible across a broad swathe of the globe, including sections of North America, Europe, Africa, and northern Asia. Additionally, residents of Greenland and Iceland, along with minor areas of South America, will have the opportunity to witness this spectacle.
A map detailing the visibility of the March 29, 2025, eclipse.
NASA has released maps illustrating the regions where the partial solar eclipse will be visible. Obtaining a view requires being within the moon’s shadow path.
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On these NASA maps, curved yellow lines indicate the extent of the sun’s coverage by the moon during the eclipse’s peak. Green lines denote the time of maximum eclipse occurrence at various locations along those lines.
Timing the Partial Solar Eclipse
For observers in the United States within the eclipse path, early wake-up times are necessary. The solar eclipse will already be underway at sunrise. Elsewhere, the partial eclipse will occur later in the day: mid-to-late morning in Europe and northwestern Africa, and in the afternoon or early evening for eastern Europe and northern Asia.
NASA has provided specific timings for the start, maximum point, and conclusion of the partial eclipse for numerous cities globally, including several in the Northeastern U.S. As the partial eclipse commences before sunrise in the U.S., NASA has instead offered sunrise times as optimal viewing references.
Partial Eclipse Viewing Schedule for Select U.S. Cities:
- Portland, Maine: Sunrise at 6:27 a.m. EST; maximum eclipse (64% coverage) at 6:30 a.m. EST; eclipse ends by 7:10 a.m. EST.
- Boston, Massachusetts: Sunrise at 6:31 a.m. EST; maximum coverage (43%) at 6:38 a.m. EST; eclipse ends by 7:07 a.m. EST.
- New York City: Sunrise at 6:44 a.m. EST; maximum eclipse (22%) at 6:46 a.m. EST; eclipse ends by 7:04 a.m. EST.
- Buffalo, New York: Sunrise at 7:02 a.m. EST; maximum coverage (2%) at 7:05 a.m. EST; eclipse ends by 7:09 a.m. EST.
- Washington, D.C.: Sunrise at 6:56 a.m. EST; maximum coverage (1%) at 6:59 a.m. EST; eclipse ends by 7:01 a.m. EST.
- Baltimore, Maryland: Sunrise at 6:55 a.m. EST; maximum coverage (3%) at 6:57 a.m. EST; eclipse ends at 7:02 a.m. EST.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Sunrise at 6:31 a.m. EST (corrected from original text which incorrectly said 6:49am here), maximum coverage (12%) at 6:51 a.m. EST; eclipse ends at 7:03 a.m. EST.
Another partial solar eclipse is anticipated in September of this year, though it will not be visible from the U.S.
Safety Guidelines for Observing the Partial Solar Eclipse
Direct viewing of a solar eclipse without proper protection is hazardous. Always utilize certified safe solar viewing glasses, often referred to as eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses are not adequate for safe solar observation.
According to NASA, using optical devices such as camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars to view the partial eclipse is also dangerous, even when wearing eclipse glasses or using handheld solar viewers, unless specialized solar filters are attached to these devices.
Employing a pinhole projector provides a safe alternative method for viewing the partial solar eclipse indirectly.