A partial solar eclipse is set to grace the skies this weekend, offering a celestial spectacle across the Northern Hemisphere. Observers are reminded to use proper eye protection when viewing the event.
The eclipse will be visible on Saturday across a wide swath of the globe, including Europe, western Africa, eastern North America, and northern Asia. The most significant obscuration of the sun will be seen from the northeastern United States, Greenland, and eastern Canada.
During this partial solar eclipse, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow and partially blocking the sun. This will create a crescent shape. Unlike a total solar eclipse, complete darkness will not occur, emphasizing the need for continuous eye protection.
According to experts, eclipses occur due to the interplay of light and shadow between the sun, moon, and Earth.
NASA notes that solar and lunar eclipses happen several times each year. They often occur in pairs due to the moon’s orbital tilt, similar to the total lunar eclipse that caused a red moon in mid-March.
To view the eclipse, check astronomical websites for the exact start time in your location. The eclipse is expected to occur around sunrise in the Americas, late morning in western Europe and Africa, and in the afternoon in eastern Europe and northern Asia.
As the eclipse progresses, the sun will gradually take on a crescent shape as the moon obscures it, potentially dimming daylight.
According to the European Southern Observatory, the event may make the day feel unusually cloudy.
Prior to observing the eclipse, check the weather forecast. Clear skies, away from tall buildings and city lights, will provide the best viewing conditions, especially in the Americas where the sun will be rising.
Obtain eclipse glasses from a science museum or a reputable online vendor listed on the American Astronomical Society’s website to ensure safe viewing.
Alternative viewing methods include creating a pinhole projector using common household items or observing the crescent-shaped shadows cast by sunlight filtering through trees or a colander.
Another total lunar eclipse and partial solar eclipse are expected in September, with the best views of the solar eclipse from Antarctica and New Zealand.