On September 21, 2025, the final solar eclipse of the year will occur. It will be a partial solar eclipse, where the Moon partially covers the Sun, creating a crescent-shaped appearance. 🌙 This event is particularly notable because it happens very close to the September equinox, which is when the lengths of day and night are nearly equal across the globe.
Visibility and Location
The partial solar eclipse will be visible almost exclusively from the Southern Hemisphere. The best views will be in:
Antarctica: This is where the eclipse will last the longest, providing a rare opportunity for scientists to study the event.
Australia and New Zealand: People in these countries will be able to see the eclipse during their local early morning hours.
Pacific Islands: Nations like American Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji will also experience the eclipse.
Unfortunately, the eclipse will not be visible from most of the Northern Hemisphere, including all of North and South America, Europe, Africa, and most of Asia. This is because the Moon's shadow will miss those parts of the world.
Timings
The eclipse will last for over four hours. Here are the key times in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC):
Partial Eclipse begins: 17:29 UTC
Maximum Eclipse: 19:41 UTC
Partial Eclipse ends: 21:53 UTC
What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth aren't in a perfectly straight line. Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely blocks the Sun, during a partial eclipse, the Moon only casts the outer part of its shadow (the penumbra) on Earth. This makes it look like a celestial body has taken a bite out of the Sun.
It's crucial to remember that you should never look directly at the Sun—eclipsed or not—without proper eye protection. Using certified solar viewing glasses or a pinhole projector is essential to avoid permanent eye damage. 👓