A partial solar eclipse, known as Surya Grahan, is set to occur on March 29, 2025. According to Indian Standard Time (IST), the eclipse will begin at 2:20 PM, peak at 4:17 PM, and conclude by 6:14 PM.
Unfortunately, this celestial event will not be visible from India, as the Moon's shadow will not pass over the country during the eclipse.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun's light. Interestingly, the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon but also 400 times farther away from Earth, making them appear nearly the same size in our sky.
Even though the eclipse won't be visible in India, proper eye protection, like certified solar viewing glasses, is essential when observing such events to prevent eye damage.
Surya Grahan 2025 Date and Time: Will It Be Visible in India?
The first solar eclipse of 2025, known as Surya Grahan, will occur today, March 29, 2025. Here are the key details:
Date and Time
The total duration of the eclipse will be approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes.
- Start Time: 4:50 AM EST
- Maximum Eclipse: 6:47 AM EST
- End Time: 8:43 AM EST
Surya Grahan 2025: Will It Be Visible from India?
Unfortunately, this solar eclipse will not be visible in India. The Moon's shadow will not cross the country, meaning that Indian viewers will miss this astronomical event entirely.
Consequently, the traditional period of Sutak Kaal, which is observed before an eclipse, will not apply in India since the eclipse cannot be seen from there.
Solar Eclipse 2025: Where Will It Be Visible?
The eclipse will be visible in various regions, including:
- Northeastern Canada
- Parts of the northeastern United States (e.g., New York City and Boston)
- Europe (with varying degrees of obscuration)
- Northern Africa
- Parts of Asia and South America
- Regions in North America are expected to have the best viewing conditions.
For those interested in witnessing the event, live streaming options are available online to catch the eclipse as it occurs in visible regions.
10 Scientific Facts About Partial Solar Eclipse: How and Why It Happens
Here are 10 scientific facts about solar eclipses, explaining how and why they occur:
1. What Causes a Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight either partially or completely. This alignment happens during a new moon phase when the Moon's orbit crosses Earth's orbital plane (ecliptic) at points called nodes.
2. Types of Solar Eclipses
There are three main types:
- Total Eclipse: The Moon completely covers the Sun.
- Partial Eclipse: Only part of the Sun is obscured.
- Annular Eclipse: The Moon is farther from Earth and appears smaller, leaving a "ring of fire" around its edges.
3. Eclipse Seasons
Solar eclipses occur during specific periods called eclipse seasons, which happen twice a year when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align properly. At least two solar eclipses occur annually, but no more than five can happen in a year.
4. The Sun’s Corona
During a total eclipse, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona, becomes visible. The corona is hotter than the Sun's surface, reaching temperatures over a million degrees Celsius. Scientists study it to understand space weather phenomena like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
5. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
The 1919 solar eclipse provided experimental proof of Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Astronomer Arthur Eddington observed that starlight bent due to the Sun's gravity, confirming that gravity affects light and space-time.
6. Baily’s Beads and Diamond Ring Effect
As sunlight passes through valleys on the Moon's uneven surface during an eclipse, beads of light appear along its edge (Baily’s Beads). Just before totality, a single bright spot creates the "diamond ring effect".
7. Why Eclipses Are Rare at Specific Locations
Although solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, they recur at any specific location only once every 360 to 410 years due to the precise alignment required.
8. Artificial Eclipses
Scientists use instruments called coronagraphs to mimic eclipses by blocking out sunlight artificially. However, natural eclipses provide better opportunities to study phenomena like the corona.
9. Impact on Earth's Atmosphere
Solar eclipses affect the Earth's ionosphere (a layer of charged particles in the atmosphere). During an eclipse, reduced ultraviolet radiation causes changes in ionisation levels, which can impact radio wave propagation.
10. Safety Precautions
Looking directly at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage. Only during the totality phase of a total eclipse is it safe to view without protection.
What's Next| Solar Eclipse 2025: Partial Solar Eclipse Date, Timings, and Viewing Guide Across the US
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