Understanding a Partial Solar Eclipse in 2025. Lets learn more about it.

A partial solar eclipse will take place on Saturday, March 29, when the moon's shadow will block out a portion of the sun.

Where and when can I see the eclipse today?

It is predicted that the eclipse will begin at around 2:20:43 PM IST and last until 6:13:45 PM IST, peaking at 4:17:27 PM. Some parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, and Africa will be able to see this event, but India won't be able to.

NASA reports that the eclipse will occur in Europe and northern Asia from mid-morning to early evening, starting at sunrise in the Americas.

What happens when there is a partial solar eclipse?

When the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, it can partially or totally block the sun's light, creating a shadow over certain parts of the planet. This phenomenon is known as a solar eclipse.

At the height of a total solar eclipse, the moon totally obscures the sun, making its outer atmosphere—known as the corona—visible for a short time. However, because of the three celestial bodies' faulty alignment, only a portion of the sun will be hidden on Saturday.

The most common kind of solar eclipse is a partial one. An eclipse like Saturday's occurs when the moon partially obscures the sun, giving the appearance of a crescent.

Additional types of solar eclipses

Annular and hybrid solar eclipses occur in addition to partial and total eclipses. When the moon passes close to the sun's furthest point from Earth, it creates an annular solar eclipse, which shows only the sun's outer edge—a ring of fire.

Areas outside the moon's umbra, which is the darkest and central portion of its shadow, will experience a partial solar eclipse during both partial and annular eclipses.

The rarest type, a hybrid solar eclipse, happens about once every ten years. As the moon's shadow passes across the Earth, this kind of eclipse alternates between annular and total.

What is the frequency of solar eclipses?

A total eclipse happens roughly once every 18 months, while solar eclipses occur two to five times a year.

Due to the length of time it takes for the moon to orbit to the opposite side of the Earth, solar and lunar eclipses usually happen in pairs. The Americas witnessed a total lunar eclipse earlier this month, with the moon rising in Australia and northeast Asia and setting over Africa and Europe.

During a partial solar eclipse, is it safe to gaze at the sun?

Unlike a lunar eclipse, looking at the sun during a partial eclipse, even for a short time, can cause permanent damage to your eyes. The extent of the damage might not be noticeable for a long time because the retina does not have pain receptors.

Wearing protective eyewear, like specially made eclipse glasses, is advised to protect your eyes. An alternative is to make an indirect viewing method, such as a pinhole projector, which can be made at home with aluminum foil, tape, scissors, a white sheet of paper, and a cardboard box. Sunlight can enter through the pinhole created by making a tiny hole in the aluminum foil and covering it with tape over a hole in one side of the box.