Looking forward to an annular solar eclipse this Saturday, March 29! Skywatchers in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. are in for a phenomenal celestial spectacle. The eclipse will take place over approximately two hours, beginning at 4:50 a.m. ET and concluding at 8:43 a.m. ET. Those in northern Maine will witness the most dramatic spectacle, while most of the East Coast's population centers will miss out on the peak of the event. You can see this astonishing astronomical phenomenon at sunrise across half of North America. It will pass over Greenland, Iceland, all of Europe and northwest Africa.
Viewing Opportunities Across North America
It will run the entire distance from the Canadian border to Virginia Beach, Virginia. People in these areas will get to see a somewhat eclipsed sunrise. It provides an extraordinary opportunity to witness one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders. Pick your seat, and pick it carefully! Excellent spots are in the areas northeast of Quebec City and the Maine/New Brunswick border.
Further north in Quebec, particularly around Akulivik, the eclipse will be total, as with several other locations around the path. This heralds a truly stunning visual experience for viewers. The eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime visual spectacle from coast to coast. Those fortunate enough to find themselves in its path will have a memory of a lifetime.
European Views of the Eclipse
Like in Europe, Reykjavik, Iceland, will be seeing a major partial eclipse, with 67% of the sun blocked by the moon. Dublin would experience 41% of the sun’s rays being blocked, while London would have 30% solar coverage. Paris and Berlin aren’t as close to the centerline, so their views will be less dramatic, with 23 percent and 15 percent of the sun obscured, respectively. This wide variation in perspectives across Europe really underlines the breadth of this solar phenomenon!
The path of the eclipse will end as it crosses over Greenland and the western portion of northwest Africa. Onlookers in these areas will need to look forward to a somewhat subdued eclipse. They’ll still be given the opportunity to participate in this global event.
Safety Precautions for Observers
Like any solar eclipse, safety measures are necessary for anyone hoping to see it in person. Looking directly at the sun, even for a brief time, can result in permanent eye injury or blindness. It will be important for everyone looking at the eclipse to do so with certified eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.
If you’re unable to catch the eclipse in person, have no fear! Here’s how to watch and participate with live streams and broadcasts from various observatories and space agencies to enjoy this historic event.
