A rare partial solar eclipse cast a shadow across the Earth, offering a unique opportunity for sky-gazers to witness this celestial phenomenon. The eclipse was visible in parts of western Europe, Greenland, north-west Africa, and north-east North America.
A rare partial solar eclipse was visible across the northern hemisphere, with the moon passing between the Earth and the sun, partially blocking out its light. The event occurred on March 29, 2025, and offered a unique opportunity for sky-gazers to witness this celestial phenomenon.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking part or all of the Sun's light.
This rare phenomenon happens when the Moon is in the right position to align with the Earth and Sun.
There are three types of solar eclipses: partial, annular, and total.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun's disk, revealing the Sun's corona.
Solar eclipses are relatively rare because the Moon's orbit is tilted at an angle that makes it pass through the Earth's shadow only twice a year.
How Visible Was the Eclipse?
The visibility of the eclipse depended on clear skies where you were located. However, some of the best viewing chances were above Guardian HQ in London, where there was barely a cloud in the sky. The partial eclipse will be visible in parts of the UK between 10am and noon on Saturday, with viewing chances best in the east where skies should be clearest.
Where Can You See It?
The partial solar eclipse will be visible in several parts of the world, including western Europe, Greenland, north-west Africa, and north-east North America. The best place to view it will be from northeastern Canada and Greenland at the peak time of 10.47 GMT. In the UK, the best viewing locations are further north-west, parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, where it is expected to be around 40-45% of the sun obscured.
Viewing Safely
If you want to directly view the eclipse safely, you will need a pair of solar eclipse glasses or a solar viewer with a special filter that blocks out ‘99.9999% of the sun‘s light.’ However, there are simple ways to view the partial solar eclipse indirectly, such as using a colander or a piece of paper with a small hole in it.
A solar eclipse can be a breathtaking sight, but it's essential to prioritize eye safety.
Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause serious eye damage, including 'solar retinopathy'.
To safely view the eclipse, use specialized solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet international safety standards.
These devices have filters that block 99.9% of both UVA and UVB radiation.
Never look directly at the sun through regular sunglasses or binoculars without proper solar filters.
What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, partially blocking out its light. By contrast, in a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun’s light. These eclipses offer a unique opportunity to witness the celestial mechanics of our solar system.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon partially covers the Sun's disk, revealing a portion of its light.
This phenomenon happens when the Moon is at a specific distance from Earth and aligns with the Sun, causing the Moon to appear smaller than the Sun in the sky.
Partial eclipses are visible from a narrow path on Earth and can be observed with proper eye protection or solar viewing glasses.
They occur about 2-5 times a year, depending on the Moon's orbit.
The Next Total Solar Eclipse
The next total solar eclipse visible from the UK is scheduled for 2090, but there will be another partial solar eclipse in August 2026 that will be visible across much of Europe, including parts of Spain.
