This weekend, a partial solar eclipse will grace the skies of the Northern Hemisphere, offering a chance to see the moon take “bites” out of the sun. However, experts warn that eye protection is essential for safely observing the phenomenon.
The eclipse will be visible on Saturday across Europe, western Africa, eastern North America, and northern Asia. The northeastern United States, Greenland, and eastern Canada will experience the most dramatic view, where the sun will appear to shrink the most.
During a partial solar eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on the planet that only partially blocks the sun, making it look like a crescent. Unlike a total solar eclipse, there is no totality, so experts emphasize the need for proper eye protection throughout the event.
“Eclipses are just a game of light and shadow that are played by the sun, moon and Earth,” said Auriane Egal from the Planetarium in Montréal.
NASA notes that solar and lunar eclipses occur between four and seven times a year. Due to the moon’s tilted orbit, they usually come in pairs: a total lunar eclipse turned the moon red in mid-March.
To view the eclipse, check local astronomy websites for the exact timing in your area. In the Americas, the eclipse will occur during sunrise, while it will be visible in the late morning for western Europe and Africa, and in the afternoon for eastern Europe and northern Asia. As the moon covers the sun, the daylight may dim, and the sun will slowly transform into a crescent.
“It will feel like a particularly cloudy day,” said Juan Carlos Muñoz-Mateos from the European Southern Observatory.
Before heading out, check weather conditions for clear skies away from tall buildings and city lights, especially in the Americas where the sun may be rising during the eclipse.
Be sure to have eclipse glasses ready to protect your eyes, which can be obtained through local science museums or purchased online from reputable sources listed on the American Astronomical Society’s website.
Alternatively, viewers can safely observe the eclipse through indirect methods, such as creating a pinhole projector with household items. A colander held up to the sunlight will also produce a similar effect. Looking at the ground beneath a shady tree will reveal crescent-shaped shadows formed by the sunlight filtering through branches and leaves.
Looking ahead, another total lunar eclipse and partial solar eclipse will occur in September, with the best views of the solar eclipse in Antarctica and New Zealand.
