Why you can’t see this weekend’s partial solar eclipse from the US — and how to watch it online
Next weekend’s skies will be treated to a cosmic performance: on September 21, a partial solar eclipse will darken the sun.
Once again, a solar eclipse set to grace us Earthlings, with our nearest star set to cover 86% of its face.
While this phenomenon won’t plunge the day into total darkness, the sight of the sun being partly swallowed is rare enough to draw millions of pairs of eyes to the sky.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse takes place when the moon moves directly between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over the sun. In this case, the eclipse is only partial: the moon will block part of the sun, creating the visual effect of a large bite missing from the glowing orb.
When is the solar eclipse? Where can I see it?
This eclipse will be visible in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, especially New Zealand, the South Pacific islands, and some portions of Antarctica.
For those in New Zealand, the event will begin at sunrise on September 22. Everywhere else along the path will see the eclipse on September 21.
Peak obscuration, which is where the moon covers the greatest portion of the sun, will occur in different places depending on your location; in some spots in the South Pacific and southern New Zealand, the moon may cover up to 70-80% of the sun.
What time is the eclipse?
According to Time and Date, in locations using Eastern Time, the eclipse starts at 1:29 PM ET, reaches its maximum at 3:41 PM ET, and wraps up by 5:53 PM ET.
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Don’t worry, this eclipse will be the last of its kind for the year. The next major solar eclipse is a total solar eclipse and is expected in August 2026, visible across parts of North America, Europe, and Africa.
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