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North America witnessed a stunning astronomical event as a partial solar eclipse coincided with sunrise on March 29, offering skywatchers in select regions a rare eclipse sunrise spectacle. While Europe experienced a mid-morning partial eclipse, parts of Canada, specifically New Brunswick and Québec, enjoyed clear skies that enhanced the view of this breathtaking phenomenon.
Rare “double-sunrise” during the partial solar eclipse from Les Escoumins, Quebec.
Dedicated eclipse enthusiasts ventured across New Brunswick and Québec, Canada, seeking clear skies to capture remarkable photographs of this celestial alignment. Their efforts yielded spectacular images of the partial solar eclipse at sunrise.
Eclipsed Sunrise Views from New Brunswick, Canada
For observers in New Brunswick, Moncton served as a prime location to witness the eclipse sunrise. Andrea Girones, an Ottawa-based astrophotographer, strategically positioned herself in Alma, a coastal town on the Bay of Fundy, approximately two hours east of Saint Andrews.
Girones explained her planning process: “Anticipating cloud cover from the southwest, we drove towards the main highway and then to Alma, along the Bay of Fundy coast. To ensure an unobstructed view of the sun, I used Photo Pills to map the sun’s trajectory, accounting for potential land obstructions. The conditions were extremely cold and windy.”
A partially eclipsed sun takes on a crescent form as it ascends above the horizon at sunrise.
Another view of the partially eclipsed sun as a crescent shape emerging at sunrise.
Girones later shared a striking composite image illustrating the partially eclipsed sun as it ascended.
“Despite approaching cloud cover from the west, we were fortunate to have an exceptionally clear eastern horizon at dawn, allowing us to witness this beautiful event,” Girones communicated to Space.com. She also humorously recounted, “Thankfully, it was low tide—my husband had thoughtfully inquired, ‘You did check the tides before we left?'”
Composite image of the partial solar eclipse, captured on March 29.
Girones’ photograph merges an unfiltered wide-angle shot from before sunrise with a composite of filtered solar images captured after the sun breached the horizon. She then skillfully assembled the final image using Photoshop.
Double Sunrise Phenomenon in Québec, Canada
Jörg Schoppmeyer also documented the eclipse sunrise, including a captivating mirage effect, from Pointe-Lebel in Baie-Comau, Québec. “The eclipse was filmed in 4K using a Baader Travel Companion 95/560 telescope,” he noted on his YouTube channel. “The object visible on the ocean to the right is a ship moving across the frame.” This marked Schoppmeyer’s 65th solar eclipse observation.
Further southwest in Les Escoumins, Québec, where the St. Lawrence River broadens significantly, Mike Kentrianakis and Kevin Wood also successfully photographed the remarkable “double sunrise.”
Wood recounted the experience: “Locating the precise alignment proved to be quite demanding. However, our dedication and persistence were rewarded when we witnessed this exceptionally rare phenomenon that morning.”
Rare “double-sunrise” captured during the partial solar eclipse in Les Escoumins, Quebec.
Wood successfully located the optimal vantage point to photograph the incredible “double sunrise” at the perfect moment.
Describing the visual phenomenon, Wood elaborated, “Like headlights penetrating thick fog, the crescent tips of an eclipsed sun emerged through the morning haze simultaneously, creating the illusion of two distinct suns.”
Kentrianakis also captured a series of dramatic sunrise photographs documenting the partial solar eclipse as it unfolded.
The sun during the partial solar eclipse sunrise, resembling menacing horns against a red sky.
During the partial solar eclipse at sunrise, the sun resembles a pair of horns just above the horizon.
Another perspective of the partial solar eclipse during sunrise, showcasing the sun’s horn-like appearance.