Set your alarms, Montreal: A rare partial solar eclipse is happening this weekend
Make sure to observe it safely!
A partial solar eclipse will occur throughout parts of Eastern Canada on Saturday, March 29.
Just a few weeks after a total lunar eclipse turned Montreal's moon red, another astronomical event is set to decorate our sky.
A partial solar eclipse will occur throughout parts of Eastern Canada on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and Montrealers have a chance to witness the celestial phenomenon without leaving the city.
A partial solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the sun and Earth, partially covering the sun's disk, making it appear as though a chunk is missing. In Montreal, the maximum eclipse will occur at 6:42 a.m. on March 29.
According to Space.com, there's a chance to "see the unique spectacle of 'solar horns,' a phenomenon where the cusps of an eclipsed crescent sun appear as two distinct points above the horizon during sunrise."
Here's everything you need to know
When is the eclipse?
The event will begin at 6:39 a.m. in the Montreal area. The eclipse will reach its maximum coverage of 0.557 magnitude at 6:43 a.m., and end at 7:13 a.m. The entire eclipse will last for approximately 34 minutes. During the peak of the eclipse, the moon will appear to take a noticeable bite out of the sun, but it won't cover it completely.
Other cities in Quebec, like Quebec City, will also experience the eclipse, with maximum coverage at 6:32 a.m
How to observe it safely
To safely view the eclipse, it's essential to use proper eye protection, such as solar eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector, as looking directly at the sun can cause serious eye damage. The Canadian Space Agency provides guidelines on how to observe solar eclipses safely, and warns against looking at one with proper measures in place:
"Eclipse or not, you shouldn't look at the sun directly with the naked eye, or with a camera or telescope without a solar filter. This can lead to irreversible eye damage."
What does the weather look like?
According to Environment Canada's forecast for Montreal, Saturday will be cloudy with a 60% chance of flurries and a high of -2 C.
When is the next solar eclipse?
After this event, the next solar eclipse visible from Canada won't occur until August 12, 2026. So, you may want to set your alarms early so you don't miss this one.
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