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The Remarkable Transformation Over the Course of a Year

Just a year ago, individuals across North America were brimming with anticipation for the "Great North American Total Eclipse of the Sun" scheduled for April 8. Fast forward less than a year, and on Saturday, March 29, another solar eclipse is set to occur. However, it is quite likely that the potential viewership for this event will not compare to last year’s overwhelming excitement.

Overview of the Upcoming Eclipse

This particular eclipse will manifest primarily as the shadow of the moon envelops the northern polar regions of Earth. If you’re keen on catching this celestial show, Space.com has arranged a live streaming of the solar eclipse, along with a continuously updated solar eclipse live blog providing news and events related to this astronomical phenomenon.

The Occurrence of Eclipses: A Monthly Chronology

For those keeping score, this upcoming celestial event marks the second eclipse within a span of less than a month. Earlier, on March 13-14, a total lunar eclipse occurred as the moon journeyed through the ecliptic—the apparent trajectory of the sun in our sky—less than seven hours following its full phase on March 14. During this event, the moon traversed through the Earth’s shadow, entering deeply into its northern half, leading to a stunning total eclipse; astronomers refer to the crossing point as a "node." Notably, during the lunar eclipse, the moon transitioned from north to south as it crossed the ecliptic, marking the descending node of its orbit.

Roughly two weeks later, on March 29, the moon will arrive at the opposite side of its orbit, re-crossing the ecliptic during its new moon phase, resulting in a solar eclipse. This interval of time is referred to as an eclipse season, a duration of approximately 37 days when the alignment of the sun and moon favors the occurrence of eclipses at both the full and new moon phases within this period.

Typically, this continual cycle leads to a lunar eclipse being followed or preceded by a solar eclipse, although there are rare instances—like in 2018—where three eclipses can occur during the approx 29.53-day synodic lunar month; this is unconventional since there would normally only be two events.

Timing of the Upcoming Eclipse: A Nearly Missed Opportunity

Within this same eclipse season, the solar eclipse happening on March 29 coincides with the new moon as it passes the opposite node—this time, the ascending one—of the moon’s orbit. What’s intriguing is that the moon advances past this node almost 19 hours early. Consequently, by the time it reaches its new phase, the axis of its shadow will veer significantly northward of Earth. As fate would have it, the moon will be near its perigee too—signifying the point where it is closest to Earth—meaning that the dark shadow cone of the moon—called the umbra—will taper off beyond our planet by approximately three times the Earth’s radius, and it will entirely miss touching our globe, remaining 180 miles (or about 290 kilometers) above the North Pole. In stark contrast to last year’s breathtaking total eclipse, no location on Earth will witness the same grandeur; instead, we can expect the moon’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, to skim over the globe, generating a more subdued partial eclipse.

Regions from northwest Africa, much of Europe (excluding certain eastern sections), and northwest Russia will all be privileged to witness this event, alongside areas such as Iceland and Greenland. Additionally, the penumbra will clip South America, resulting in a brief dent in the sun during sunrise for parts of countries like Suriname, French Guiana, and areas in Brazil.

A Unique Sunrise Experience Awaits

As the eclipse unfolds, many areas of North America will actually have a less favorable view, yet some locations will experience certain aspects of it. For instance, utilizing an atlas, one can draw a line beginning from near the city of Oakville, Ontario, extending south toward Virginia Beach, Virginia. Locations to the west of this line will miss out on the eclipse entirely, while those situated to the east will have the opportunity to observe at least a part of the eclipse during sunrise.

Remarkably, in most areas, the maximum eclipse will have already occurred before the sun clears the horizon. For example, in Baltimore, Maryland, the sun is expected to rise at 6:58 a.m. EDT with an approximate 7.8 percent of its diameter undergoing eclipse. The event will conclude merely four minutes later when the moon’s disk completely departs from the sun.

Regions further north and east will benefit from greater solar coverage due to the moon’s transit. For several areas in northern New England and Atlantic Canada, the degree of solar coverage will be significantly notable, rendering the sunrise a memorable spectacle. In the town of Madawaska (population 3,900) located in far-northern Maine, maximum eclipse will coincide closely with the sunrise at 6:17 a.m. EDT. At this moment, 88.2 percent of the sun’s diameter will be obscured, creating a visually stunning crescent shape as it appears to rise, with its cusps pointing nearly straight upwards. If clear skies prevail, it will seem as if two “lobster claws” are appearing from the eastern horizon.

Pressing Schedule of Events

The local circumstances for this upcoming eclipse across 16 selected U.S. locations were compiled with valuable data sourced from Dr. Fred Espenak of EclipseWise.com. The following table includes essential timing information—all times are based on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

In locations such as Atlantic Canada, a significant fraction of the sun’s diameter will be covered at the peak of the eclipse, occurring post-sunrise. For instance, Halifax, NS will experience 85.6% coverage at 7:17 a.m., while Fredericton, NB sees 87% at 7:19 a.m. and Saint John’s, NF experiences 85.4% at 7:52 a.m..

Exercise Caution

It’s crucial to note that observing the sun without appropriate eye protection poses serious risks. Unlike a total eclipse that presents a fleeting moment of excitement, a partial eclipse can be enjoyed leisurely from virtually any vantage point. Observations should be conducted with specialized solar filters or eclipse glasses designed for direct viewing, or utilizing binoculars or telescopes fitted with solar filters.

Our comprehensive guide on safe solar observation details everything you need to know regarding safe viewing practices and what to keep an eye out for. We’ve also compiled a list of the best solar eclipse gear deals ahead of the upcoming partial solar eclipse, allowing you to safely indulge in solar observations without breaking the bank.

The Pinnacle of the Experience

If you’re eagerly considering travel to the location offering the highest solar coverage by the moon, look no further than Nunavik—situated in the northern segment of Quebec—approximately 40 miles (65 km) inland from the Inuit township of Akulivik (population 680). Here, the sun will just barely cross the southern horizon, with nearly 94 percent of its diameter obscured by the moon. Atmospheric conditions at the typically hazy horizon could enhance and redden if the sun’s light, granting it the appearance of a slender slice of cantaloupe.

Joe Rao, an instructor and guest lecturer at New York’s Hayden Planetarium, offers insights into such astronomical events. His writings extend across respected publications like Natural History magazine, Sky and Telescope, and several others.

Editor’s Note: Should you manage to capture photographs of this partial solar eclipse, feel free to send your images, commentary, name, and location to spacephotos@space.com for potential sharing with other enthusiasts at Space.com.

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When dealing with uncertainties that may arise from the far-reaching effects of astronomical events, particularly related to community gatherings or commercial events centered around these spectacular occurrences, the AI legalese decoder can be an invaluable tool. This AI-driven platform translates complex legal jargon into clear, digestible language, empowering users to navigate contracts, permissions, and liabilities associated with public viewings or gatherings for eclipse viewing. By utilizing the AI legalese decoder, individuals and organizations can ensure they understand the legal implications of their events, fostering a more secure and comprehensible framework for participation.

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