Partial Solar Eclipse Visible Today Across Northern Hemisphere

Today, a partial solar eclipse is visible across the northern hemisphere, lasting from 8:50 AM to 12:43 PM UTC. The peak will occur at 10:47 AM UTC over northeastern Canada and Greenland. Safety precautions are crucial for viewing, as powerful sunlight can damage eyesight. The last partial solar eclipse in mainland France was on October 25, 2022, with a total eclipse expected in 2026.

Today marks the occurrence of a partial solar eclipse, observable across several regions in the northern hemisphere, including eastern Canada and Siberia. This phenomenon, the 17th of the 21st century and the first of the year, is anticipated to last approximately four hours, commencing at 8:50 AM UTC and concluding around 12:43 PM UTC.

According to Florent Deleflie, an astronomer at the Paris-PSL Observatory, the residents of Mauritania and Morocco will be the first to witness the eclipse, while those in northern Siberia will be the last. The peak visibility is expected at 10:47 AM UTC over northeastern Canada and Greenland, where up to 90% of the sun’s disk will be obscured, though this will not result in full darkness.

A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align. For this specific eclipse, the alignment was not sufficient to allow the moon’s shadow cone to reach the Earth’s surface, thereby preventing a total eclipse from happening.

In France, viewers can expect to see between 10% and 30% coverage of the sun’s disk between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM UTC. While this may not result in significant changes visible to the naked eye, individuals should take precautionary measures using proper eye protection to prevent eye damage, as even slight defects in eclipse glasses can cause harm due to intense sunlight.

This event follows a total lunar eclipse that occurred two weeks ago, which gave the moon a distinct red appearance. Deleflie indicates that this occurrence is typical as the moon completes half its orbit around Earth.

The last observed partial solar eclipse in mainland France was on October 25, 2022. A total solar eclipse is projected for August 12, 2026, but it will not encompass France, although up to 96% of the sun’s disk will be obscured in some French cities.

The partial solar eclipse today is a significant astronomical event that emphasizes the alignment of celestial bodies. It prompts public interest and emphasizes the importance of safety measures for viewing such phenomena. Notably, the anticipated total solar eclipse in 2026 further enriches our understanding and appreciation of these cosmic events.

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