The March 29, 2025, Partial Solar Eclipse
26 Mar. 2025
On March 29, 2025, a solar eclipse will take place. The last major total solar eclipse, on April 8, 2024, was successfully observed by thousands of Vespera and Hestia users worldwide (watch our collaboration vlog with StarTalk and Neil deGrasse Tyson).
This time, however, the eclipse will be partial. While it won’t be as dramatic as a total eclipse, it remains a fascinating celestial event. The eclipse will be visible from the northeastern United States, eastern Canada, and parts of western and northwestern Europe. Residents in these regions will be able to safely observe the eclipse using Vespera and Hestia, provided they use the essential solar filter.
In this article, you'll find everything you need to know to witness this astronomical phenomenon.
Image : Neil DeGrasse Tyson observing the 2024 solar eclipse with Vespera.
What Is a Solar Eclipse?
The Moon orbits the Earth in just over 27 days. Under specific conditions, the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly, with the Moon positioned between the Sun and our planet. This alignment causes the Moon to block the Sun’s light, creating a solar eclipse.
- When the alignment is perfect, the Moon completely covers the Sun, resulting in a total eclipse.
- If the Moon only partially covers the Sun, a partial eclipse occurs, leaving part of the Sun still visible.
To better understand why solar eclipses happen and how often they occur, visit the dedicated page in our 2024 Eclipse Guide.
The March 29, 2025, eclipse will be partial. In western Canada, where the eclipse will be most pronounced, the Moon will obscure up to 90% of the Sun’s surface, leaving only a thin crescent of sunlight visible.
What Can You Observe During a Partial Solar Eclipse?
Unlike a total eclipse, a partial eclipse does not noticeably dim the daylight. If you are unaware that an eclipse is happening, you might not even notice the event.
Video : the partial phase of an eclipse captured with Vespera. Credit : Ashalom.
However, with proper solar filters, you can safely observe the phenomenon: the Moon will appear to "nibble" at the Sun, gradually transforming it into a crescent shape.
How to Safely Observe the Partial Eclipse
Even when the Sun is partially eclipsed, never look directly at it through any optical instrument without a proper solar filter, as this can cause permanent eye damage.
Vespera and Hestia allow for safe, indirect observation and are compatible with certified solar filters. The filter must remain in place throughout the entire event.
⚠️ Never remove the solar filter from Vespera or Hestia while observing the eclipse!
To observe the eclipse, ensure that the sky is clear enough and the Sun is visible. A thin veil of clouds won’t necessarily hinder observation.
Observing the Eclipse with Vespera
To observe the eclipse with Vespera, follow these steps:
1. Use your smart telescope at least once at night before attempting solar observation.
2. In the Singularity app, select the observatory corresponding to your location (or create one if it doesn’t exist).
3. Power on your smart telescope and connect it to the Singularity app.
4. From the Space Center, select Solar Mode.
5. The telescope arm will move to allow you to attach the solar filter.
6. Once the filter is in place, confirm the installation.
7. Align the telescope with the Sun as instructed by Singularity, then validate the alignment.
8. Vespera will locate the Sun and display the live image.
Observing the Eclipse with Hestia
Check out our complete guide on how to observe eclipses with Hestia, including setup instructions, photography tips, and timelapse techniques.
Since this is a partial eclipse, there will be no total phase—the solar filter must remain in place for the entire observation.
Where and when to see the March 29, 2025, Partial Solar Eclipse
United States
The eclipse will be visible from:
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
- Best viewing conditions: Maine, where up to 85% of the Sun will be obscured.
- Lowest coverage: Pennsylvania, where the Moon will cover only 20% of the Sun.
- The eclipse will already be in progress at sunrise, meaning you’ll need an unobstructed eastern horizon to observe it.
Canada
The eclipse will be visible from:
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nunavut, and the far eastern edge of Ontario.
- Best viewing conditions: The farther east, the better. In some areas, the Moon will cover over 90% of the Sun.
- The eclipse will already be underway at sunrise, so an open eastern horizon is essential.
Europe
The eclipse will be visible across:
- Scandinavia (18% obscuration in Finland, up to 38% in Norway)
- Germany (17%)
- France (10–30%, with Brittany offering the best view)
- Spain & Portugal (13–30%, with better visibility in the west)
- United Kingdom (30–40%)
The eclipse will occur around midday.
The eclipse will also be visible in Iceland and Greenland.
Summary
The eclipse will be most pronounced in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S, but it will also be more difficult to observe since the Sun will be very low on the horizon.
Western Europe offers easier conditions: The eclipse will be less pronounced, but the Sun will be higher in the sky, making observation simpler.
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