Solar Eclipse Set to Traverse Major Swath of the Northern Hemisphere
PARIS - Stargazers throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere will get an opportunity to witness the Moon partially obscuring the Sun during a partial solar eclipse on Saturday. This celestial event will stretch from eastern Canada all the way to Siberia.
The upcoming partial eclipse, marking the first such event of the year and the 17th this century, will span approximately four hours, beginning at 0850 GMT and concluding at 1243 GMT.
Eager viewers protecting their eyes may have the opportunity to witness the cosmic display across much of Europe, parts of northeast North America, and northwestern Africa.
Solar eclipses happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. During a perfect alignment known as a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s disk, casting an unusual dusky light across our planet.
However, this won’t occur during Saturday’s partial eclipse; rather, it will shape the Sun into a crescent.
"The alignment isn’t precise enough for the cone of shadow to reach the Earth’s surface,” said Florent Deleflie, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, to AFP.
Since that shadow will "linger in space, there won’t be a total eclipse visible from any point" on Earth, he explained.
The maximum coverage of the Sun’s disc by the Moon will be approximately 90 percent. The optimal viewing location will be in northeastern Canada and Greenland, with the pinnacle moment occurring at 10:47 GMT.
Beware eye damage
It will not be as impressive in other regions. For instance, in France, the sun's disk will be blocked out between 10 to 30 percent, varying according to location.
According to Sophie Murray from the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, Ireland can expect approximately 40 percent. Nonetheless, rainfall is predicted.
These minor eclipse proportions won't be noticeable without assistance.
If the weather remains clear, stargazers can observe the eclipse using specialized viewing equipment — provided they follow all necessary safety measures.
Gazing directly at the Sun — whether during an eclipse or not — can result in permanent eye damage.
Astronomy enthusiasts should purchase eclipse-watching goggles and make sure they are in excellent shape.
Deleflie cautioned that even a minor flaw or "tiny aperture" could lead to ocular harm.
Alternatively, individuals could observe the eclipse at a nearby astronomy observatory where they can safely confirm the accuracy of celestial mechanics and admire intriguing features on the Sun’s surface, like sunspots, according to Deleflie.
Murray offered another option.
She explained that you could create a basic pinhole projector by puncturing a tiny hole in a sheet of paper or cardboard, allowing sunlight to filter through it onto the ground or another surface, resulting in a small, upside-down image of the eclipse.
Deleflie mentioned that the partial eclipse won’t be visible through a smartphone camera unless it has an appropriate filter.
The most recent cosmic event occurs just two weeks following the spectacle of a total lunar eclipse, known as a "Blood Moon," which captivated viewers around the globe.
These occurrences frequently follow one another as the Moon completes a semi-orbit around the Earth during this period, thus altering the alignment, according to Deleflie.
A more impressive display is anticipated on August 12, 2026, as a total solar eclipse will be observable in Iceland, northern Spain, and portions of Portugal.
Over 90 percent of the Sun will also be covered in parts of Europe such as Britain, France, and Italy.
This will be the initial total solar eclipse since one traversed North America in April 2024.
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