New Delhi, March 21, 2025 – Skywatchers around the globe are in for a celestial treat as the first solar eclipse of 2025 is set to occur on Saturday, March 29. While this partial solar eclipse will offer stunning visuals for observers in several regions, it will not be visible from India, as confirmed by NASA.
This eclipse marks one of the two solar eclipses scheduled for 2025, making it a rare event for astronomy enthusiasts to mark in their calendars.
Where Will the Solar Eclipse Be Visible?
The March 29 partial solar eclipse will be visible from:
- North America
- South America
- Northern Asia
- Europe
- Africa
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Arctic and Atlantic regions
India, unfortunately, will not be able to witness this eclipse, as the event will occur during daylight hours in other parts of the world.
Eclipse Timings (As per Indian Standard Time – IST)
Even though the eclipse won’t be visible from India, here are the exact timings for reference:
- Eclipse begins: 2:20 PM (IST)
- Maximum eclipse: 4:17 PM (IST)
- Eclipse ends: 6:13 PM (IST)
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours
What Is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but they do not align perfectly. As a result, only a part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, creating a dramatic shadow over Earth. The Sun appears as a crescent or a “bite” is taken out of it, depending on your location within the eclipse path.
Unlike total solar eclipses, partial eclipses do not plunge the surroundings into darkness, but the drop in sunlight and temperature is still noticeable in the affected areas.
How to Watch a Solar Eclipse Safely?
While lunar eclipses can be viewed safely with the naked eye, solar eclipses require special precautions:
- Use certified eclipse glasses or solar viewing filters.
- Never look at the sun directly through sunglasses, cameras, telescopes, or binoculars without a solar filter.
- DIY pinhole projectors or watching live streams from trusted observatories and space agencies like NASA is a safe alternative.
Upcoming Celestial Events in 2025
- Second Solar Eclipse: September 21, 2025
- Next Lunar Eclipse: September 7, 2025
- The previous lunar eclipse took place on March 14, 2025, coinciding with the Holi festival and featured a spectacular Blood Moon, although it wasn’t visible from India.
These rare cosmic occurrences continue to fascinate stargazers and deepen our understanding of planetary movements and alignments.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
