Partial Solar Eclipse to Be Visible Across Northern Hemisphere

Photo : AFP

People in many parts of the world will see a rare event in the sky when the Moon moves in front of the Sun, covering part of it. This is called a partial solar eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 08:50 GMT and end at 12:43 GMT, lasting for almost four hours. It will start from eastern Canada and travel across different areas, reaching as far as Siberia. This is the first solar eclipse of the year and the 17th such event in this century.

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The best view will be in northeastern Canada and Greenland, where nearly 90% of the Sun will be covered at the peak time of 10:47 GMT. In other places like Europe, northeast North America, and northwest Africa, a smaller part of the Sun will be hidden. In France, only 10% to 30% of the Sun will be covered, while in Ireland, around 40% will be blocked. However, in some areas, cloudy weather may make it hard to see the eclipse clearly.

A solar eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up. Sometimes, they align perfectly, and the Moon completely covers the Sun, turning the sky dark for a short time. This is called a total solar eclipse. But this time, the Moon will only cover part of the Sun, making it look like a crescent shape.

Experts warn that looking directly at the Sun during the eclipse can harm the eyes. People must use special glasses made for watching the Sun. Regular sunglasses are not safe, and looking at the Sun without protection can cause serious eye damage that cannot be repaired. Even a tiny scratch or hole in the special glasses can be dangerous. To be safe, people can visit local astronomy centers where proper equipment will be available.

If people do not have special glasses, they can still watch the eclipse in a safe way. One simple method is to use a piece of paper or cardboard with a small hole in it. When sunlight passes through the hole, it will create a small, upside-down image of the eclipse on the ground or another surface. This way, people can see the eclipse without looking directly at the Sun. Smartphone cameras cannot capture the eclipse properly unless a special filter is used.

This eclipse comes just two weeks after a total lunar eclipse, which is often called a "Blood Moon." These events often happen close together because the Moon moves halfway around Earth, changing its position.

In the future, a bigger event will take place. On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will happen. It will be fully visible in Iceland, northern Spain, and parts of Portugal. In other European countries like Britain, France, and Italy, more than 90% of the Sun will be covered, making it a very special sight. This will be the first total solar eclipse since April 2024, when people in North America saw the Sun disappear behind the Moon.