Solar Eclipse 2025: When is the next celestial display? Date, time, visibility and best locations
Is August 2, 2025, the Longest Solar Eclipse of the Century?
Live Events
What Happens During a Solar Eclipse?
Partial: Only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, resulting in a crescent-shaped Sun.
Total: The Moon completely covers the Sun for a brief moment, turning day into an eerie twilight.
Annular: The Moon appears slightly smaller than the Sun, leaving a visible ring of sunlight known as the 'ring of fire.'
When Is the Next Solar Eclipse in 2025?
Start Time: 17:29 UTC (10:59 PM IST)
Maximum Eclipse: 19:41 UTC (1:11 AM IST, September 22)
End Time: 21:53 UTC (3:23 AM IST, September 22)
Where Will the Solar Eclipse Be Visible in 2025?
New Zealand: Cities such as Wellington and Christchurch will experience a significant solar occlusion, ideal for skywatching and photography.
Cities such as Wellington and Christchurch will experience a significant solar occlusion, ideal for skywatching and photography. Eastern Australia: Brisbane and Sydney will catch a smaller portion of the eclipse but will still offer striking visuals.
Brisbane and Sydney will catch a smaller portion of the eclipse but will still offer striking visuals. Pacific Islands: With low light pollution, regions across the South Pacific will enjoy crisp viewing conditions.
With low light pollution, regions across the South Pacific will enjoy crisp viewing conditions. Antarctica: Although sparsely inhabited, research stations in Antarctica will benefit from uninterrupted views under pristine atmospheric conditions.
Solar Eclipse 2025: Date, Time, Duration and Visibility USA, UK Canada
Date & Duration
Start: 17:29 UTC
Maximum: ~19:41 UTC (≈1:11 AM IST)
End: 21:53 UTC
Duration: ~4 hours 24 minutes
Visibility
Visible in:
New Zealand (up to ~80% coverage) Eastern Australia (Sydney, Brisbane) Pacific Islands Antarctica and nearby ocean regions
Not visible in:
USA, Canada, UK, or virtually all of the Northern Hemisphere
Solar Eclipse 2025: Scientific and Photographic Opportunities
Researchers utilize eclipse conditions to study shifts in temperature, animal behavior, and atmospheric composition.
Photographers can capture dramatic crescent-shaped Suns and elongated shadows, provided they use proper solar filters for camera safety.
Eclipse tourism—which combines scenic landscapes with celestial events—has boosted travel to places like New Zealand and Australia, making astronomy part of the adventure.
How to Safely Watch the Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse 2025: Viral Trend or Real Event?
Looking Ahead: Future Solar Eclipses
February 17, 2026: An annular eclipse (the 'ring of fire') visible across parts of Africa and South America.
August 12, 2026: A total solar eclipse that will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Europe and Russia.
February 6, 2027: Another annular eclipse visible from Africa and parts of South America.
August 2, 2027: The most eagerly anticipated total solar eclipse for Indian viewers, passing over large swathes of the country, Europe, and North Africa.
FAQs
Is there a solar eclipse on August 2, 2025?
Where did the August 2 Solar eclipse rumor come from?
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
As speculation swirls online about a possible solar eclipse on August 2, 2025, the astronomical community has stepped forward to clarify that no such eclipse is scheduled on that date. Instead, attention is turning to a scientifically verified celestial event: a partial solar eclipse set for September 21, 2025. This phenomenon, which will dazzle observers in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, has ignited both interest and misinformation, making fact-checking critical amid trending posts across platforms like X and TikTok.Online queries such as 'Is there a solar eclipse on August 2, 2025?' have surged in recent weeks, fueled by viral hashtags and memes. However, astronomers confirm that August 2 holds no eclipse, solar or lunar, on the global calendar this year. The confusion likely stems from early interest in a total solar eclipse scheduled for August 2, 2027, a dramatic event that will be visible in India and other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere.To set the record straight: the next solar eclipse after the April 2025 total eclipse in North America will occur on September 21, 2025, and it will be partial, not total.No, August 2, 2025 is not the longest solar eclipse of the century. In fact, there's no solar eclipse at all on that date. The confusion is widespread, but astronomers have confirmed there will be no eclipse on August 2, 2025,The remarkable eclipse people refer to is scheduled for August 2, 2027. That will be a total solar eclipse, lasting up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible on land in the 21st centuryA solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on portions of Earth's surface. This alignment temporarily blocks sunlight, either partially or fully, depending on the observer's location and the eclipse type. Solar eclipses come in three main forms:The September 21, 2025, event falls into the partial category, delivering a brilliant crescent Sun visible in select Southern Hemisphere regions.The partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025, will unfold over a span of 4 hours and 24 minutes, as per Space.com:Although the timing may seem nocturnal for Indian audiences, those in regions like New Zealand and parts of Australia will enjoy optimal afternoon and early evening visibility.The partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025 will not be visible anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, or any part of the mainland, nor in most of the Northern Hemisphere. Instead, skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere are in for a rare treat:This eclipse is known as a deep partial, with visibility limited to Southern Hemisphere regions. While total eclipses tend to draw the largest crowds and headlines, partial eclipses like the September 2025 event carry significant value for scientists and hobbyists alike:Never view a solar eclipse, partial or total, with the naked eye. Experts strongly advise using certified eclipse glasses or solar viewing filters. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not offer sufficient protection and may cause permanent eye damage.For indirect viewing, pinhole projectors or real-time broadcasts are safer alternatives. Photographers and telescope users must ensure their equipment is outfitted with solar filters to prevent lens and sensor damage.The current viral speculation around an August 2, 2025, eclipse, though ultimately incorrect, has had a positive effect by sparking public interest in celestial events and space education. It also underscores the importance of relying on scientific sources for accurate information.After the September 2025 event, several noteworthy eclipses are on the astronomical calendar:Astronomy lovers in India should mark August 2, 2027, as the next opportunity to witness a total eclipse from home soilNo, there is no solar eclipse scheduled on August 2, 2025. The confusion stems from online rumors and viral social media posts. The next confirmed solar eclipse is a partial eclipse on September 21, 2025.The rumor likely originated from early excitement about a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, which will be visible in India and parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. This has been mistakenly attributed to 2025 in trending posts on platforms like TikTok and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NASA and Congress Wrestle Over the Space Station—and How to Replace It
The fight over government spending is reaching 250 miles above the Earth's surface. The International Space Station for more than two decades has been the centerpiece of human spaceflight at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Government leaders are now jousting over funding for the ISS, while NASA is signaling it will start pulling back on some station activities ahead of its planned decommissioning in 2030, when private space stations are envisioned taking its place. Last month, NASA directed Boeing to cut back on station-related services that the aerospace giant manages under a longstanding contract, according to a letter viewed by The Wall Street Journal. Officials at the agency are studying sending smaller crews to the ISS instead of the typical four, translating to less onboard research. Sean Duffy, NASA's acting administrator, on Monday laid out a plan that would provide agency support for a wider range of private stations under development. In a memo viewed by the Journal, Duffy said the approach would give NASA and station developers more flexibility. 'It is important to move quickly,' he said in the memo. The order was one of Duffy's first moves since President Trump appointed him to run NASA on a temporary basis in July, a role he is handling in addition to leading the Transportation Department. NASA is famed for sending astronauts to the moon, but the space station has been the focal point of its high-profile human missions in recent decades. NASA and international crews have continuously manned the facility for almost 25 years, the agency has said, pursuing science and studying how humans can live in orbit. The ISS—managed by the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada—is also showing its age. Leaks in part of the station operated by Russia keep occurring. Earlier this year, the White House proposed cutting funding for the ISS, saying in a budget pitch that NASA should focus efforts there on 'very limited' research that is essential to exploration of the moon and Mars. Many members of Congress have pushed back. The ISS received money in the Republicans' landmark tax-and-budget bill, and a recent Senate legislative report said NASA should 'maintain the fullest possible use of ISS through end of life.' U.S. government leaders want to avoid any gap between the ISS and future private facilities—in large part because China has its own station, called Tiangong, now flying. 'We must put the necessary systems in place to support and command American astronauts continually in low Earth orbit,' said Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), chairman of the Commerce Committee, during a hearing in April. 'We cannot surrender low Earth orbit to the Chinese or to the Russians.' U.S. companies aiming to build private facilities in low-Earth orbit include Voyager Technologies, Axiom Space, Vast and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. SpaceX has considered using part of its Starship vehicle as an orbital station as well. Several companies have received NASA funding to help develop commercial stations that could replace the ISS, and the agency has struck unfunded agreements with other firms working on station efforts. Building and deploying a new facility could cost around $3 billion or more, according to station developers. Many executives have expected NASA this year to begin picking one or more station developers to receive bigger contracts, narrowing the field of developers. The directive from Duffy moves away from that approach, instructing staff to instead continue supporting a range of station development work. Duffy on Monday also issued a separate memo calling for NASA to accelerate work to develop nuclear power facilities on the moon and Mars. Politico reported earlier on his memos. Write to Micah Maidenberg at
India Today
14 hours ago
- India Today
Earth's spin slowed down on August 5. There is a surprising cause behind it
Earth completed its rotation 1.33 milliseconds earlier than usual on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, making it one of the shortest days of the year at 86,399.99867 seconds this fraction of a second is imperceptible to people, it marks a significant milestone in the precise measurements of Earth's spin and has implications for scientific and technological systems average, Earth rotates once relative to distant stars, a sidereal day, in about 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 However, the solar day we experience, defined by the time between successive noons, is exactly 24 hours or 86,400 difference arose because Earth must rotate an extra degree due to its orbit around the Sun. On August 5, 2025, the solar day is slightly shorter due to a combination of factors affecting Earth's rotation rate, James O'Donoghue, Research Associate Professor in Planetary Astronomy, Meteorology, University of Reading explained in an article in The main influence on daily variations in Earth's spin comes from atmospheric winds, ocean currents, and magma flows. Winds colliding with Earth's surface, especially over mountain ranges, can apply a tiny braking effect. During the northern hemisphere summer, when winds are generally slower, Earth spins faster, leading to shorter days. Additionally, the Moon's gravitational pull exerts tidal forces on Earth's oceans, which gradually slow down the spin over long on certain dates when the Moon is positioned unusually far north or south, this tidal drag weakens, contributing to a faster changes deep inside Earth also play a role. Since about 2020, scientists have observed that Earth's rotation has been speeding up rather than the typical long-term slowdown caused by factors like polar ice melting and acceleration is attributed to the exchange of angular momentum between Earth's core and mantle. Such subtle shifts are detected using ultra-precise atomic clocks and quasar-referenced astronomical measurements, enabling prediction of short days well in tiny 1.33-millisecond shortening translates to a positional discrepancy of about 62 centimeters at the equator if uncorrected in systems relying on precise timing, like GPS. To maintain accurate global navigation and communication, adjustments such as leap seconds are carefully Earth's fluctuating speed, these millisecond variations remain unnoticed in daily life but highlight the incredible precision needed in modern timekeeping and the dynamic forces shaping our planet's rotation.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
To the Moon, on China's back: Pakistan eyes lunar landing by 2035
Rattled by terrorism, an economy drowning in debt, and relentless political unrest, Pakistan is now setting its sights sky-high with an ambitious goal: landing on the Moon by 2035. But behind the lunar dream lies a familiar reality: a heavy reliance on its all-weather friend Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is currently in Beijing seeking deeper scientific and strategic cooperation, made the announcement during a meeting with top Chinese officials on Monday. He said the responsibility has been given to Pakistan's space agency, SUPARCO, which has never independently launched a satellite, let alone a space meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Shan Zhongde, head of China's Atomic Energy Authority and Space Agency, Iqbal made a strong pitch for intensified collaboration. The aim: to plug the gaping holes in Pakistan's space and nuclear capabilities. The discussion between the two sides, framed as strategic cooperation, underscored a starker truth: Pakistan's space ambitions are increasingly "made in China". From satellite launches to nuclear tech, Beijing continues to be the engine behind Islamabad's scientific MADE IN CHINA SPACE DREAMSWhen it comes to space, Pakistan has a recurring launch partner, and it's not hard to guess who. Every single one of Pakistan's space missions has been powered by Chinese support. From satellites to lunar dreams, Beijing is the Minister Ahsan Iqbal recently revealed that three "Pakistani-made" satellites were launched with substantial help from China, of course. Islamabad also hopes to send its first astronaut to space by 2026 by hitching a ride on China's space station, not via any independent platform of its last month, a new Pakistani remote-sensing satellite was launched from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, aimed at tackling climate change threats. But while it carried a Pakistani flag, the technical muscle came courtesy of China and a helping hand from also championed the "Uraan Pakistan" initiative, claiming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has breathed new life into the country's space ambitions. Uraan, led by SUPARCO, is Pakistan's national space program, though much of the lift still comes from outside its dependency continues to deepen. Earlier this year, Pakistan signed on to participate in China's Chang'e 8 mission, part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), scheduled for 2028. SUPARCO is expected to contribute a 35-kilogram indigenous rover to explore the Moon's elusive South to NASA, Chang'e 8 is meant to test critical technologies for building a permanent lunar science base. For Pakistan, it's a rare opportunity to be part of a cutting-edge global HOLDING BACK PAK'S SPACE AGENCYPakistan launched its official space program on September 16, 1961, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam, who served as scientific advisor to then-President Ayub Khan. He established the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which at the time positioned Pakistan as one of the early entrants into space SUPARCO has since struggled to make significant advancements with chronic underfunding being one of the primary reasons. With an annual budget of just $36 million (approximately PKR 290 crore), the agency operates on a fraction of what leading space programs challenges have further compounded the stagnation. Over the past decade, SUPARCO has been headed by retired military generals rather than seasoned scientists, leading to criticism about the lack of scientific vision and technical expertise at the very few universities in Pakistan offer specialised programs in space science or engineering, resulting in a shortage of skilled professionals who can contribute to long-term innovation and self-reliance in the terms of capability, Pakistan remains heavily reliant on China for satellite launches, technical support, and infrastructure development. This dependency has curbed the growth of indigenous aerospace technology. Meanwhile, broader economic strains have also impacted Pakistan's ability to sustain scientific collaboration. The government has repeatedly failed to meet its financial commitments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with overdue payments to Chinese power producers reaching PKR 423 billion by June 2025, according to The Express Tribune. advertisementIn response, senior Chinese official Shan Zhongde reiterated Beijing's commitment to the partnership and lauded Pakistan's alignment with the country's strategic goals. However, his remarks subtly reinforced the perception that Pakistan's scientific or economic progress is increasingly driven by Chinese support.- Ends
