Partial Solar Eclipse — September 21, 2025

🌞 Get Ready for the Partial Solar Eclipse on September 21, 2025! 🌑

On Sunday, September 21, 2025—just one day before the equinox—the Moon will take a dramatic “bite” out of the Sun, creating a deep partial solar eclipse in the Southern Hemisphere. While not a total eclipse, this one is especially exciting because of how much of the Sun will be covered—up to 86%! 🌍✨

🌞 What Makes This Eclipse Special? 🌑

This is the second and final solar eclipse of 2025, and it arrives at a cosmic moment of balance—right before the September equinox. ⚖️🍂 From certain vantage points, like the far South Pacific Ocean south of New Zealand, the Moon will cover nearly 80% of the Sun. Even in places further away, skywatchers will witness stunning crescent-shaped Suns rising or setting on the horizon. 🌅🌞

🕒 Timing

The eclipse runs from 17:29 to 21:53 UTC (1:29–5:53 p.m. EDT). The exact look depends on your location, but all observers in the path will see the Moon carve away part of the Sun. 🌑☀️

🔭 Where Can You See It?

This eclipse favors remote southern skies, but the views will be unforgettable:

• 🇳🇿 New Zealand – The South Island and Stewart Island will see between 58%–73% coverage, with the Sun rising as a fiery crescent. Auckland will experience about 60%.
• 🇦🇶 Antarctica – Research stations like McMurdo (69%) and Zucchelli (72%) will catch dramatic partial views. The Ross Ice Shelf will see around 65%, while the Antarctic Peninsula gets about 12% just before sunset.
• 🌊 South Pacific Islands – Places like Fiji (27%), Tonga (32%), Samoa (17%), and the Cook Islands (23%) will see smaller but still beautiful partial eclipses.
• ☀️ The best way for most people to watch is online!

Countries Where the Eclipse Is Visible

🌍 The Cool Science Behind the Eclipse 🧑‍🔬

• Obscuration vs. Magnitude – Confused by the terms? Let’s break it down! 📚
  • Obscuration is how much of the Sun is covered by the Moon.
  • Magnitude is about how much of the Sun’s diameter is covered.
  • The eclipse paths on maps show obscuration—but you might see magnitude on other maps. It’s all part of the eclipse fun!

🚀 How to Watch Safely 👓

IMPORTANT! Even though it’s only partial, remember: never look directly at the Sun without eclipse glasses or proper filters. Protect your eyes to enjoy the magic safely. 🚫👓

• 🌟 Eclipse Glasses – These are your best friend! 🕶️
• 🌙 Pinhole Projector – Fun DIY way to safely observe the eclipse! 🎨
• 👁️ Never Use Sunglasses – Regular sunglasses don’t protect your eyes! 🚫

Eclipse Season: What Is It?

Did you know that eclipses don’t just happen randomly throughout the year? They occur in what’s called Eclipse Season! 🌑✨

Eclipse seasons are windows of time when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align just right to create eclipses. Each season lasts for about 34 to 38 days and occurs roughly every six months. During this period, there are typically two eclipses—one solar and one lunar—because of the way the Moon’s orbit intersects the Earth’s orbital plane (called the ecliptic). Sometimes, we get three, but not in 2025.

The first eclipse season of 2025:

• Total Lunar Eclipse on March 13-14, 2025 🌕🌑: The first eclipse of the season, visible in the , will be a total lunar eclipse, where the Earth casts a red shadow over the Moon. It’s going to be a spectacular celestial show!
• Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29, 2025 ☀️🌒: Just a couple weeks later, we’ll have a partial solar eclipse, but this one will be visible only from certain parts of the world (including parts of the Pacific Ocean, Asia, Europe, and a tiny bit of the northeast US).

A second eclipse season occurs later in 2025:

• Total Lunar Eclipse on September 7-8, 2025 🌕🌑: This total lunar eclipse will be visible in Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Partial views will be seen in parts of North and South America, along with the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans, and parts of the Arctic and Antarctica.
• Partial Solar Eclipse on September 21, 2025 ☀️🌒: The final eclipse of the year will be a partial solar eclipse, visible from parts of Southern Australia, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and Antarctica.

Don’t miss out on these cosmic spectacles, either in-person or watching online! 🌞🌑

🍂 Equinox Energy

With this eclipse arriving the day before the equinox, it feels extra symbolic—a moment when the balance of light and dark in the sky mirrors the balance on Earth. ✨🌎⚖️ It’s a cosmic reminder that we’re part of something bigger, as seasons shift and celestial cycles align.

🌞 Final Thoughts: Get Ready for a Cosmic Show! 🌑

On September 21, 2025, this partial solar eclipse will be a breathtaking sight—especially for skywatchers in New Zealand 🇳🇿 and Antarctica 🧊. With the Moon covering more than half the Sun in many locations, it’s the perfect chance to experience a dramatic celestial event just one day before the equinox. 🌞✨

Even if you’re not in the path, you can still join the fun online! 🌍💻 Livestreams and eclipse guides make it easy to watch safely from anywhere. Use this as a chance to learn more about how eclipses work, share the wonder with friends and family, and celebrate the cosmic cycles that connect us all. 🌑🔭🌟

🔗 For More Info:

For a closer look at the eclipse path, times, and maps, head over to these awesome resources:

• The Sun Today: Partial Solar Eclipses
• Time and Date: September 21, 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse

🌞🌑 Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the eclipse magic! 🌟