Missed the total lunar eclipse last night? No worries – another chance to see a stunning celestial event is coming up soon! While the “blood moon” total lunar eclipse amazed Americans the other night, there’s another exciting event on the horizon: a partial solar eclipse. Scheduled to take place later this month, the partial solar eclipse promises a unique astronomical experience that occurs only twice a year. This year, skygazers will have the opportunity to witness two partial solar eclipses, including the one in March. Here’s all you need to know:
What is a partial solar eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow but not fully blocking the sun’s light.
When is the next partial solar eclipse?
The first partial solar eclipse of 2025 will occur on March 29, starting at approximately 4:50 a.m. EDT and peaking around 6:47 a.m. EDT. The second partial solar eclipse is set for Sept. 21, 2025.
Where will the March 2025 partial solar eclipse be visible?
The partial solar eclipse on March 29 will be visible across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and parts of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Some areas in the Northeast U.S., including New York, Boston, and Augusta, Maine, may have a chance to see it.
Looking ahead, a total solar eclipse is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2026, with the path of totality crossing Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small part of Portugal.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
During a total lunar eclipse, Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon, causing the moon to be covered by Earth’s shadow and often appearing red, hence the nickname “blood moon.”
When is the next total lunar eclipse?
The next total lunar eclipse visible in the U.S. is expected in about a year.
The next partial solar eclipse in the U.S. is scheduled to occur in March 2026. Reporting by Janet Loehrke and Fernando Cervantes Jr. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY; contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. Anthony Robledo covers national trending news for USA TODAY; contact him at arobledo@usatoday.com and follow him on Twitter @anthonyarobledo. This article was first published on USA TODAY and discusses the upcoming partial solar eclipse and the next blood moon visible in the U.S.
