A partial solar eclipse is set to occur tomorrow, on March 29, 2025, offering skywatchers across various regions a captivating celestial display. During this event, the Moon will partially obscure the Sun, creating a remarkable sight for observers in parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
March 29, 2025, Partial solar eclipse & its visibility
A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but doesn’t align perfectly, resulting in only a portion of the Sun being covered. This alignment causes the Sun to appear as if a “bite” has been taken out of it. The extent of the Sun’s obscuration varies depending on the observer’s location.
The partial eclipse will be visible from parts of North America, Greenland, Western Europe, northwest and north central Russia, and northwest Africa. Check here for the timing from your location.
Safety precautions for viewing
Direct observation of the Sun without proper protection can lead to severe eye damage. It’s imperative to use eclipse glasses that comply with the industry standard or to employ indirect viewing methods, such as pinhole projectors. Even if very dark, regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the Sun.
Tips for photographing the eclipse
Photographing a solar eclipse requires careful planning and adherence to safety protocols. Here are a few tips to help you capture this celestial event effectively:
Plan your shots: Familiarize yourself with the eclipse timeline and decide in advance which phases you want to capture.
Prepare well ahead: Choose your location carefully and reach the location well ahead of the eclipse. This will give you enough time to setup properly and also get used to the location.
Practice before the event: Conduct trial runs on the Sun before the eclipse day to fine-tune your settings and technique.
Monitor weather conditions: Keep an eye on the weather forecast to anticipate visibility and make necessary adjustments to your plans.
Use a solar filter: Always attach a certified solar filter to your camera lens to protect both your equipment and your eyes from the sun.
Select appropriate equipment: A DSLR or mirrorless camera paired with a telephoto lens (200mm or longer) will allow you to capture detailed images of the eclipse.
Stabilize your setup: Mount your camera on a sturdy tripod to prevent motion blur caused by camera shake. If you are planning to capture a timelapse, mount your setup on a tracking platform.
Disable image stabilization: When using a tripod, turn off vibration reduction (VR) or image stabilization (IS) features to avoid unintended image artifacts.
Shoot in RAW format: Capturing images in RAW provides greater flexibility during post-processing, allowing for exposure and color balance adjustments.
Manual focus: Set your lens to manual focus and adjust carefully to achieve sharp images of the Sun. Autofocus may struggle with the high contrast and brightness. A good way is to check for focus on sunspots.
Adjust ISO settings: Select a low ISO setting (e.g., ISO 100 or 200) to minimize noise while maintaining adequate shutter speed.
Metering mode: Use spot-metering to ensure the camera correctly exposes the Sun, as it will be the brightest part of your frame.
Protect your eyes: Never look directly at the Sun through your camera’s optical viewfinder. Use the camera’s LCD screen or an electronic viewfinder instead.
Post-processing: After the eclipse, use photo editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance details, adjust exposure, and bring out features like solar prominences or sunspots.
Clear skies!
