A rare partial solar eclipse will occur on Saturday, as the Moon moves across the Sun for about four hours, offering skywatchers in parts of the Northern Hemisphere a unique celestial spectacle.
This event will be visible from eastern Canada to northern Russia, with the potential to be seen in much of Europe, parts of northeastern North America, and northwest Africa, according to the Paris Observatory.
The eclipse will begin at 0850 GMT and end at 1243 GMT. Unlike a total solar eclipse, which completely obscures the Sun, this partial eclipse will only block a portion of the Sun’s surface. “At its peak, the Moon will cover up to 90 percent of the Sun in certain northern latitudes, creating a ‘cold light’ effect,” said Florent Deleflie, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory.
The maximum obscuration of the Sun will occur at 1047 GMT in northeastern Canada and Greenland. For many other regions, including France, only 10 to 30 percent of the Sun’s disc will be obscured, depending on the location. “To the naked eye, there won’t be much noticeable change,” Deleflie added.
Skywatchers eager to observe the eclipse were reminded to take safety precautions. Looking directly at the Sun, whether during an eclipse or not, can cause permanent eye damage. “Special glasses are essential,” Deleflie explained. He also warned that older glasses with even the slightest defect or “microscopic hole” could cause harm, advising people to visit local astronomy observation centers for a safe viewing experience.
At these centers, viewers could safely observe the eclipse and even see details of the Sun’s surface, such as sunspots.
Deleflie also mentioned that smartphone cameras would not be able to capture the eclipse without the proper filter. “The light is too intense, and the obscured portion of the Sun won’t be visible,” he said.
This partial solar eclipse is the first of the year and the 17th of the century. It follows a total lunar eclipse, also known as the “Blood Moon,” which was seen by skywatchers two weeks earlier.
Looking ahead, a more significant event is expected on August 12, 2026, when a total solar eclipse will be visible across Iceland, northern Spain, and parts of Portugal. More than 90 percent of the Sun will be obscured in parts of Europe, including the UK, France, and Italy. It will be the first total solar eclipse since one crossed North America in April 2024.
