Celestial Event: Partial Solar Eclipse to Create Unique Sunrise
Just weeks after a total lunar eclipse turned the sky blood red, there’s already another celestial event that has people talking – a partial eclipse that will create a unique sunrise Saturday. Dubbed a “double sunrise” by Live Science and Forbes, the moon’s silhouette will give the sun a crescent shape, and, as it rises on March 29, viewers will see what appear to be “two separate ‘horns’ emerging from the horizon.”
A global map of the shadow path for the March 29, 2025 partial solar eclipse. The left half of the orange loop shows where the eclipse ends at sunrise, while the right half shows where it begins at sunrise. (Credit: Ernie Wright and Abby A. Interrante/NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio)
If the weather cooperates, the phenomenon will be visible to some degree from Washington D.C. and the following U.S. states – Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Where can I see it?
Unlike last year’s total solar eclipse, this year’s partial eclipse will only be visible in the northeastern U.S., eastern Canada, western Africa and Europe.
NASA provided the following times and visibility percentages for several major cities:
| City | Partial Begins | Maximum | Coverage | Partial Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, Maryland (USA) | 6:55 a.m. * | 6:57 a.m. | 3% | 7:02 a.m. |
| Boston, Mass. (USA) | 6:31 a.m. * | 6:38 a.m. | 43% | 7:07 a.m. |
| Buffalo, New York (USA) | 7:02 a.m. * | 7:05 a.m. | 2% | 7:09 a.m. |
| New York, New York (USA) | 6:44 a.m. * | 6:46 a.m. | 22% | 7:04 a.m. |
| Philadelphia, Penn. (USA) | 6:49 a.m. * | 6:51 a.m. | 12% | 7:03 a.m. |
| Portland, Maine (USA) | 6:27 a.m. * | 6:30 a.m. | 64% | 7:10 a.m. |
| Washington, D.C. (USA) | 6:56 a.m. * | 6:59 a.m. | 1% | 7:01 a.m. |
NASA added an asterisk (*) to the sunrise times because the partial eclipse will already have started by the time it becomes visible.
How to watch safely
If you’re in the northeastern U.S. and don’t mind an early start to your Saturday, there are a few precautions you must take before staring skyward.
Since the moon never entirely blocks out the sun during a partial eclipse, be sure to use eclipse glasses or a safe solar viewer to avoid eye damage.
NASA reminds viewers not to rely on sunglasses; safe eclipse glasses and solar viewers are thousands of times darker and should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
If there are no eclipse glasses on hand, you can always use an indirect viewing method, like creating a pinhole projector. An example would be an index card with a hole punched through it. Holding the card with one’s back to the sun will allow you to see the image of the eclipse projected through the hole and onto a nearby surface.
Finally, NASA urges viewers not to look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or other device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a solar viewer. Doing so without a special solar filter for the lens will expose you to a potentially-serious eye injury.
Understanding the Science Behind the Eclipse
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but does not completely cover the sun’s disk. This type of eclipse is different from a total solar eclipse, where the moon completely blocks out the sun’s light.
The moon’s shadow has two parts: the umbra, which is the darker inner shadow where the sun is completely blocked, and the penumbra, which is the lighter outer shadow where the sun is only partially blocked. During a partial solar eclipse, the moon’s penumbra falls on a region of the Earth, causing the sun to appear partially covered.
Conclusion
The partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, is a rare and exciting event that will be visible in the northeastern U.S., eastern Canada, western Africa, and Europe. By understanding the science behind the eclipse and taking the necessary precautions to view it safely, you can enjoy this celestial event and appreciate the beauty of our solar system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a partial solar eclipse?
A: A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but does not completely cover the sun’s disk.
Q: Where will the partial solar eclipse be visible?
A: The partial solar eclipse will be visible in the northeastern U.S., eastern Canada, western Africa, and Europe.
Q: How can I safely view the partial solar eclipse?
A: You can safely view the partial solar eclipse by using eclipse glasses or a safe solar viewer that meets the ISO 12312-2 international standard. You can also use an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector.
Q: Can I look at the sun through a camera lens or telescope during the eclipse?
A: No, you should not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or other device without a special solar filter. This can cause serious eye injury.
Q: How often do partial solar eclipses occur?
A: Partial solar eclipses are relatively rare, occurring about twice a year on average. However, they are often only visible from specific regions of the Earth.
