The total solar eclipse of April 2024 was an amazing sight, but University of New Hampshire (UNH) professor and observatory director John S. Gianforte said this weekend’s partial solar eclipse is going to be special as well.
“Since last year, there’s been this emphasis on totality, but partial eclipses can be beautiful as well,” Gianforte told USA Today Network on Wednesday.
Unlike the solar eclipse last April that most of the country was able to see at least part of, this one will mostly be visible in the Northeast and Canada. And, this one won’t have quite as much coverage. In Boston, the sun will be about 43% covered at its peak.
But the time of day it’s happening will make for a special treat, as long as the weather cooperates with seeing it.
What time is the partial solar eclipse?
The eclipse will start before sunrise and last until 7:06 a.m., according to Date and Time, on Saturday March 29. Currently, the forecast is calling for cloudy skies on the morning of the eclipse, which could hinder viewing.
What will be special about the March 29 partial solar eclipse?
Gianforte, an extension associate professor of space science education at UNH, said this weekend’s eclipse could be spectacular if you have a view of the horizon to the east at sunrise on the day in question.
“If you see the sun rising in eclipse, it means you’ll be able to see a crescent-shaped sun rising above the horizon,” Gianforte said. “It could be gorgeous, beautiful to watch.”
He added that if people do a have a clear view that morning, they should have their cameras ready.
He also suggested that people planning on watching the eclipse can go to the Timeanddate website for updates on the event: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2025-march-29
How much of the sun is expected to be covered?
In Boston, 43% of the sun will be obscured during the eclipse at the peak. For comparison, during the 2024 eclipse just over 90% of the sun was covered.
In parts of Canada, up to 92% of the sun will be covered. Within the United States, in northernmost reaches of Maine, it will get to about 87% coverage, according to Time and Date.
How will the eclipse unfold on the East Coast?
According to a report from USA Today, these are the times to catch the eclipse in regions around the country:
Baltimore, Maryland: 6:55 a.m. to 7:02 a.m. EDT
Boston, Massachusetts: 6:31 a.m. to 7:07 a.m. EDT
Buffalo, New York: 7:02 a.m. to 7:09 a.m. EDT
New York City: 6:44 a.m. to 7:04 a.m. EDT
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 6:49 a.m. to 7:03 a.m. EDT
Portland, Maine: 6:27 a.m. 7:10 a.m. EDT
Washington D.C.: 6:56 a.m. to 7:01 a.m .EDT
