A partial solar eclipse on September 21-22, 2025, provided a remarkable celestial display for millions of people across the Pacific region. The event occurred as the moon passed between the Earth and the sun, obscuring a significant portion of the solar disk and transforming it into a glowing crescent for observers in New Zealand, Antarctica, and several Pacific island nations.
The astronomical alignment was visible to an estimated 16 million people, with photographers and space-based instruments capturing stunning images of the event. The eclipse was particularly well-documented in New Zealand, where the sun rose in its partially obscured state, creating dramatic photo opportunities against morning clouds and coastal landscapes.
Key Takeaways
- A partial solar eclipse took place on September 21-22, 2025, visible across the Pacific.
- Key viewing locations included New Zealand, Antarctica, and various Pacific islands.
- In parts of New Zealand, the moon covered between 60% and 70% of the sun's disk at the eclipse maximum.
- Both ground-based photographers and Earth-observation satellites captured detailed images of the celestial event.
- The next major solar event for New Zealand will be a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2028.
The Celestial Alignment Over the Pacific
The September 2025 partial solar eclipse was a result of the moon's orbit aligning precisely to cross in front of the sun from Earth's perspective. Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the moon completely blocks the sun, a partial eclipse leaves a portion of the solar disk visible.
For viewers in the Southern Hemisphere, this created the appearance of the sun being 'bitten' by the moon's shadow. The spectacle began at dawn in locations like New Zealand, adding to the visual drama as the crescent sun ascended over the horizon.
What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse happens when the sun, moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned. The moon casts only the outer part of its shadow, the penumbra, on Earth. From within the penumbra, the sun appears to have a dark shadow on only a part of its surface.
Exceptional Views from New Zealand
Photographers across New Zealand took advantage of the early morning timing to document the eclipse. The country's unique landscapes provided compelling backdrops for the partially obscured sun.
Christchurch and Hawkes Bay Perspectives
In the area of Christchurch, photographer Sanka Vidanagama captured a series of striking images. One photo shows the partially eclipsed sun rising above a thick layer of morning clouds, its light reflecting off the ocean below. Another image frames the glowing solar crescent between the silhouettes of two observers.
Further north in Hawkes Bay, photographer Kerry Marshall documented a dramatic scene. His image features the eclipsed sun surrounded by wave-like clouds, positioned above two large commercial ships on the water, highlighting the scale of the celestial event against terrestrial objects.
Detailed Solar Surface Imagery
Beyond scenic shots, some observers used specialized equipment to capture scientific detail. Amateur astronomer Paul Stewart, located in South Canterbury, used a Lunt 80mm telescope equipped for astrophotography to produce a highly detailed image of the sun's surface.
"Luckily the clouds stayed away until after maximum eclipse," Stewart noted in a post on the social media platform X, sharing his image that revealed intricate details in the solar atmosphere and a number of visible sunspots on the sun's photosphere.
This type of specialized photography allows for a closer look at solar activity that is normally invisible to the naked eye, even during an eclipse.
The Eclipse as Seen From Space
The event was not only observed from the ground but also from orbit. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) GOES-19 satellite, an advanced weather and Earth observation satellite, recorded the eclipse from its vantage point in space.
Using its Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI), the satellite captured the moon's shadow passing across the sun. The footage provided a unique perspective, showing the celestial mechanics at play without any atmospheric interference.
X user Jure Atanackov highlighted the satellite's view, sharing the imagery and explaining its origin to clarify it was the moon, not an unidentified object, crossing the sun's path.
Future Skywatching Opportunities
While this partial eclipse offered a spectacular sight, skywatchers in the region have an even more significant event to look forward to. New Zealand is set for a prime viewing position for a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2028.
On that date, the path of totality—the narrow track where the sun is completely blocked by the moon—will pass over central Australia before crossing directly over New Zealand's South Island. This will provide residents and visitors with the rare opportunity to experience the complete darkness of a total solar eclipse.
