Today, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the northern hemisphere, from eastern Canada to Siberia, lasting about four hours. The phenomenon begins at 8:50 AM UTC and ends at 12:43 PM. Key observations will occur in Europe and northeastern Canada, where up to 90% of the sun’s disk may be hidden. Safety measures are vital for viewing. This event follows a recent lunar eclipse and anticipates a total solar eclipse in 2026.
Today, a partial solar eclipse will unfold as the moon partially covers the sun, visible across the northern hemisphere, specifically from eastern Canada to Siberia. The eclipse, being the 17th of the 21st century and the first this year, will occur from 8:50 AM to 12:43 PM UTC, lasting approximately four hours.
Florent Deleflie, an astronomer at the Paris-PSL Observatory, remarked that the eclipse will first be visible to residents of Mauritania and Morocco, with northern Siberia being the last area to witness the phenomenon. In Europe, the Time and Space Laboratory at the Paris Observatory indicated that the peak visibility time would be at 10:47 AM UTC over northeastern Canada and Greenland, covering 90% of the sun’s disk.
A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align. However, this particular eclipse lacks a perfect alignment, meaning no total eclipse will occur as the moon’s shadow will not reach the Earth’s surface, according to Deleflie.
In France, the eclipse is expected to be visible from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM UTC, blocking 10% to 30% of the sun’s disk depending on location, which will not significantly change the view to the naked eye. Still, viewers are encouraged to utilize appropriate eye protection to safely appreciate the event.
Using special eclipse glasses is crucial, as direct sunlight can harm eyes. Deleflie cautions about minute defects in eclipse glasses leading to vision damage. Notably, this solar eclipse follows just two weeks after a total lunar eclipse that tinted the moon red.
The last observed partial solar eclipse in mainland France occurred on October 25, 2022. Looking ahead, a total solar eclipse is scheduled for August 12, 2026; it will obscure 92% of the sun’s disk in Paris and 96% in Marseille, although its path will not cross France.
The partial solar eclipse today marks an important astronomical event, showcasing the dynamic alignment of celestial bodies. Although it won’t result in a total eclipse, regions like northeastern Canada and Greenland will witness significant coverage of the sun. Viewing precautions are critical to prevent eye damage from solar exposure, emphasizing the need for special eclipse glasses. This event follows a recent lunar eclipse and precedes another total solar eclipse in 2026, highlighting a period of rich astronomical phenomena.
Original Source: www.jordannews.jo
