A partial solar eclipse will take place on September 21, 2025, offering a celestial spectacle for observers in select parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The event will see the Moon pass in front of the Sun, partially obscuring it from view for a limited audience on Earth.
The phenomenon will be visible primarily from New Zealand, parts of Australia and Antarctica, and several Pacific islands. For those outside the viewing path, live online broadcasts will provide a way to witness the event.
Key Takeaways
- Event: A deep partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21, 2025.
- Visibility: The eclipse path covers New Zealand, Tasmania (Australia), parts of Antarctica, and Pacific island nations like Fiji and Samoa.
- Audience: Only about 16.6 million people, or 0.2% of the global population, reside within the visibility zone.
- Safety: Specialized solar viewing glasses or filters are essential for safe observation to prevent eye damage.
Global Timings and Visibility Path
The eclipse will begin its journey across the globe on September 21, 2025. According to astronomical calculations, the event will start at approximately 1:29 p.m. EDT (1729 GMT). The point of maximum eclipse, when the Moon covers the largest portion of the Sun, is expected to occur at 3:41 p.m. EDT (1941 GMT).
It is important to note that these global times represent the overall duration of the event. The actual viewing times for observers on the ground will depend entirely on their specific geographic location.
What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, but they don't perfectly align. From our perspective, this makes it look like the Moon is taking a piece out of the Sun. Unlike a total solar eclipse, the Sun is never completely blocked during a partial eclipse.
Detailed Viewing Times by Region
The experience of the eclipse will vary significantly based on location. Observers in New Zealand will have one of the best views, with the event occurring in the morning hours. Other regions will see the eclipse at different local times.
Here is a breakdown of the approximate local times for key viewing areas:
- New Zealand: The eclipse will be visible from approximately 5:41 a.m. to 8:36 a.m. local time, making it an early morning event for the country.
- Australia: Viewers in Tasmania and the southeastern coast will see the eclipse begin around 6:13 a.m. and conclude by 7:36 a.m. local time.
- Antarctica: Research stations and expeditions in certain parts of the continent will be able to observe the eclipse for an extended period, from roughly 4:49 a.m. to 6:53 p.m. local time, due to the continent's unique position.
- Fiji: The event will start at 5:42 a.m. and end at 7:27 a.m. local time.
- Samoa: Observers here can watch the eclipse from 6:29 a.m. to 8:09 a.m. local time.
These time ranges cover the earliest start and latest end times within each country's viewing zone. For precise times in a specific city, skywatchers should consult local astronomical resources.
A Limited Audience
According to data from Time and Date, only 0.2% of the world's population, or about 16.6 million people, live in a location where this partial solar eclipse will be visible. This makes it a relatively exclusive astronomical event.
Crucial Safety Measures for Viewing
Observing a solar eclipse requires strict safety precautions to prevent permanent eye damage. At no point during a partial eclipse is it safe to look directly at the Sun without proper protection, as a significant portion of its harmful rays remains visible.
"Never use regular sunglasses, camera viewfinders, or unfiltered telescopes to look at the sun. The only safe method is to use certified solar eclipse glasses or viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard."
Safe viewing practices are non-negotiable. The intense visible and invisible radiation from the Sun can cause a condition known as solar retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss.
Safe Observation Checklist
- Do use certified solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers.
- Do use telescopes or binoculars equipped with a certified solar filter attached to the front end.
- Do not use regular sunglasses, no matter how dark they are.
- Do not use smoked glass, stacked sunglasses, or exposed film negatives.
- Do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, or binoculars.
An alternative and simple method for indirect viewing is to create a pinhole projector. This involves projecting an image of the Sun onto a surface, which is a safe way for groups and children to observe the eclipse's progress without looking at the sky.
How to Watch if You Are Outside the Path
For the vast majority of the world's population living outside the eclipse path, the event will not be visible directly. However, modern technology ensures that no one has to miss out.
Several space agencies and astronomy organizations are expected to provide live online streams of the eclipse. These broadcasts will feature high-quality telescopic views from various locations within the path of visibility. This allows a global audience to participate in the event safely from their computers or mobile devices. Details on specific live streams will become available closer to the date of the eclipse.