There's a partial solar eclipse visible over the USA and Canada this Saturday, March 29, 2025.
It won't be visible across the whole of North America, however; only the most northeasterly states and provinces will be able to see it.
The eclipse begins around 10:00 UTC, with maximum eclipse occurring around 11:00 UTC, meaning observers in North America will see it around sunrise.
If you're based in the USA or Canada and want to see this Saturday's solar eclipse, read on to find out what you'll see from your location.
Observers in New Hampshire will get one of the best views of the March 29, 2025 partial solar eclipse. Credit: Scott Eisen / Stringer
Observers in New Hampshire will get one of the best views of the March 29, 2025 partial solar eclipse. Credit: Scott Eisen / Stringer
Solar eclipses in a nutshell
Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, from our perspective on Earth.
Sometimes during an eclipse, the Moon blocks out the Sun completely, leading to a total solar eclipse.
That's what happened during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, which was one of the astronomical highlights of the year.
On March 29, 2025, only some of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. It will be a partial solar eclipse.
It will look like the Moon is taking an ever-increasing bite out of the Sun, but the Moon won't cover the Sun completely.
What's more, not everyone in the USA and Canada will get to see it.
Partial solar eclipse John Chumack, Dayton, Ohio, USA, 14 October 2023 Equipment: QHY5L-II-M mono CMOS camera, Lunt 60mm Universal Telescope with LS60FHa solar filter, Paramount MyT robotic mount
Partial solar eclipse captured by John Chumack, Dayton, Ohio, USA, October 14, 2023
March 29 solar eclipse in the USA
The March 29, 2025 partial solar eclipse will only be visible in the USA from locations north and east of central Pennsylvania.
From the northeast corner of New Hampshire, 53% of the Sun’s diameter will appear covered by the Moon (approximately 37% of its area).
From mid-Pennsylvania, only 3% of the Sun’s diameter appears covered at sunrise.
The best US states to see the March 29 partial solar eclipse will be Maine and New Hampshire, weather permitting, with Massachusetts and Connecticut also seeing a decent portion of the Sun eclipsed by the Moon.
Other places where observers in the USA will get a good solar eclipse include New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Essentially, if you want to see this eclipse in the USA, you need to be as northeast as you can get!
The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 over Maine, USA. Main is one of the best US states to see the partial solar eclipse of March 29, 2025. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 over Maine, USA. Main is one of the best US states to see the partial solar eclipse of March 29, 2025. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
March 29 solar eclipse in Canada
Canada will have the best views of the eclipse in North America.
Eastern provinces like Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and the territory Nunavut will almost see a total solar eclipse, such is the extent to which the Sun will be obscured by the Moon.
Nunavut is one of the best regions in Canada to see the March 29 solar eclipse, with some places there seeing around 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon.
You can get a list of all the US states and Canadian provinces that will see the partial eclipse via TimeAndDate.com.
Nunavut, Canada will be one of the best places in North America to see the March 29, 2025 partial solar eclipse. Credit: Istvan Hernadi photography... Mountain Visions / Getty Images
Nunavut, Canada will be one of the best places in North America to see the March 29, 2025 partial solar eclipse. Credit: Istvan Hernadi photography... Mountain Visions / Getty Images
Safely observing the eclipse
This is a partial solar eclipse, meaning that at all stages of the eclipse, at least a portion of the Sun will be visible.
That means this solar eclipse is not safe to look at without proper solar eclipse glasses or other solar observing equipment.
Eclipse chasers don eclipse glasses to see the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Quebec will be one of the best places in North America to see the March 29, 2025 partial eclipse. Credit: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images
Eclipse chasers don eclipse glasses to see the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Quebec will be one of the best places in North America to see the March 29, 2025 partial eclipse. Credit: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images
Looking at the Sun – even if a portion of it is covered by the Moon – is dangerous and could damage your eyesight, unless you wear eclipse glasses.
You can find out more in our guide on how to observe an eclipse and how to make sure your eclipse glasses are safe.
And if you'd like to capture an image of it, read our guide on how to photograph the March 29 2025 solar eclipse.
If you do observe or photograph the eclipse from North America, please send us your images and they could appear in a future issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.