Solar Eclipse on March 29: Timings, visibility, how to watch and what not to do

TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 28, 2025, 08:38 IST

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On March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will occur with visibility in regions such as Europe, Asia, and North America. The event will start around 4:50 a.m. EDT in the US and 2:20 p.m. IST in India, peaking mid-way through. Safety precautions must be taken during the eclipse.

Solar Eclipse on March 29: Timings, visibility, how to watch and what not to do

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A solar eclipse is set to occur on March 29, 2025, during which the Moon will partially obscure the Sun. This eclipse will be the first solar eclipse of 2025. The second solar eclipse of 2025 will occur on September 21. According to US space agency NASA, the partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, will be visible across various regions, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and the Arctic. Here’s everything you need to know about 2025’s first solar eclipse

Solar eclipse on March 29 timings in US and India

United States: The eclipse will begin at around 4:50 a.m. EDT. It will peak at 6:47 a.m. EDT, and end at 8:43 a.m. EDT.
India: The eclipse will start at around 2:20 p.m. IST, reaching its peak at 4:17 p.m. IST. It will end at 6:13 p.m. IST.

Solar eclipse on March 29 places to witness

The eclipse will be visible in various parts of North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. In the northeastern United States, observers can witness the eclipse shortly after sunrise. In Hartford, Connecticut, the event will commence shortly after sunrise at 6:38 a.m., reaching its peak at 6:41 a.m., and concluding by 7:07 a.m.
Similarly, in New York, the eclipse is expected between 6:35 a.m. and 7:12 a.m., while in Massachusetts, it will occur from 6:27 a.m. to 7:08 a.m. In Europe, countries such as Iceland, Greenland, and parts of western Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula will have favorable viewing conditions.

What is a partial solar eclipse

As mentioned above, the eclipse on March 29 will be a partial solar eclipse.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth but only partially covers the Sun's disk. This alignment causes the Sun to appear as if a portion has been taken out of it, resembling a crescent shape. Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, the Sun is never completely covered during a partial solar eclipse.
During a partial solar eclipse, the Moon's darkest shadow, the umbra, does not reach Earth. Instead, only the penumbra, or partial shadow, covers part of the Sun, causing it to appear partially obscured.

Safety Measures for viewing partial solar eclipse

Experts emphasize the importance of using proper eye protection when observing the eclipse. Certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard are recommended to safeguard against harmful solar radiation. Homemade solutions, such as smoked glass or regular sunglasses, are inadequate and can lead to permanent eye damage.
For those unable to view the eclipse directly, various organizations and observatories will provide live streams and detailed coverage of the event.

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TOI Tech Desk

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