Partial Solar Eclipse and ‘Devil Horns’ In March 2025: Where And How To Watch In The UK And Beyond

Following the total lunar eclipse on 13-14 March, on 29 March, another celestial show will occur: a partial solar eclipse. This time the sunlight will be dim for a few hours and the sun will look like somebody has bitten a huge part of it. So, mark your calendars so as not to miss this spectacle. Meanwhile, we will explain the science behind this event, where and when to watch, and safety rules to keep your eyes safe while observing the solar eclipse.

Let’s get to the bottom of this marvellous cosmic spectacle, shall we?

What Is A Partial Solar Eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth align, and the Moon is placed between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the sunlight. A partial solar eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly lined up. Thus, only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered. 

The solar eclipse happens only at the New Moon phase. As we know, solar eclipses do not happen every month, so not every New Moon causes the eclipse. This is because the Moon doesn’t orbit in the exact same plane as the Sun and Earth do. The plane of the Moon’s orbital path around our planet is inclined at an angle of approximately 5° to Earth’s orbital plane around the Sun. The points where the two orbital planes meet are called lunar nodes. Solar eclipses occur only when a New Moon occurs near a lunar node.

How Often Does A Solar Eclipse Happen?

The time when the Sun is near the lunar nodal points, is known as an eclipse season. Only within that window solar and lunar eclipses happen. Usually, eclipse seasons occur twice a year.

During the eclipse season, there will always be at least one New Moon, resulting in a solar eclipse, and at least one Full Moon, resulting in a lunar eclipse. Sometimes, there may even be three solar or lunar eclipses within one eclipse season.

Most calendar years have two solar eclipses. The maximum number of solar eclipses that can take place in the same year is five, but this is extremely rare. The last time five solar eclipses during one calendar year were in 1935, and the next time is expected to be in 2206.

This year, the first eclipse season will begin in March and last 35 days, ending on 17 April. During this season, there will be one lunar and one solar eclipse:

• 14 March – Total Lunar Eclipse
• 29 March – Partial Solar Eclipse

The second eclipse season will start on 5 September and will end on 9 October. It will include also one lunar and one solar eclipse:

• 7 September – Total Lunar Eclipse
• 21 September – Partial Solar Eclipse.

Timing And Visibility In The UK And Worldwide

Parts of the northeastern United States, eastern Canada, Greenland, Europe, Northwest Africa, and northwestern Russia will be visible during the partial solar eclipse in March 2025.

In the whole territory of the UK the partial solar eclipse will be visible. However, as we can see from the screenshot below, the visibility will depend on the location: in England and Wales about 30 to 38 % of the Sun will be hidden, while in Ireland and Scotland 40 to 44%.

The partial solar eclipse will begin at 08:50 GMT and end at 12:43 GMT. At its peak, up to 94% of the sun will be obscured by the moon. However, only a lucky 44,800 people in northern Quebec will experience more than a 90% eclipsed sun. Unfortunately, in the UK 44% will be the maximum.

Here you can check the interactive map of the path of the partial solar eclipse, and to check all the locations, where the eclipse will be visible, along with information about timing and obscuration.

Around 814 million people will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse in March, which equals only 9.94% of world population. So, British people should consider themselves as quite lucky.

See The Devil’s Horns During The Partial Solar Eclipse

During the partial solar eclipse on 29th March, skywatchers in the northeast U.S., eastern Canada, and Greenland may witness the eerie ‘devil’s horns’ effect at sunrise. This phenomenon occurs when the partially eclipsed Sun rises above the horizon, with only its crescent-shaped tips visible, resembling a glowing pair of horns.

However, the UK won’t get this devilish display, as the eclipse there will take place between 10 AM and 12 PM, long after sunrise. For the best views, eclipse chasers should head to Forestville, Quebec, or Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, where the Sun will briefly resemble a grinning Cheshire Cat.

Safety First: Viewing Tips

Unlike the lunar eclipse, the solar eclipse cannot be watched with the naked eye. It may be very dangerous for human health.

Moreover, it is advised never to look directly at the Sun, without any protective eyewear. The UV radiation from the Sun can burn the retinas in your eyes leading to permanent damage or even blindness. The best way to safely watch a total solar eclipse is to wear protective eclipse glasses or to project an image of the eclipsed Sun using a pinhole projector.

Safety should become your number one priority when viewing a solar eclipse. Be sure to follow these safety guidelines when viewing a solar eclipse.

Here is a very useful and detailed guide on how to choose safe equipment to observe the solar eclipse.

Take care of your safety and the safety of your beloved ones to enjoy the partial solar eclipse!

Watch A Partial Solar Eclipse In March 2025 Online

There is an alternative option for those who don’t want to miss this celestial show in March but don’t have an opportunity to view it. Following this link, you will be able to watch live stream of a partial solar eclipse from any point on our planet, which has an Internet connection:

Scientific Significance Of Solar Eclipses

There is no doubt that solar eclipses are breathtaking celestial spectacles, but they are also very useful for science. 

Scientists have been studying solar eclipses for centuries. Of course, for much of history, solar eclipses have been viewed as omens that bring disasters. That is understandable for sure: the Sun is disappearing from the sky and it’s getting dark right in the middle of the daytime. 

However, further research proved that solar eclipses are harmless and even useful for humanity. For instance, the British astronomer and mathematician Sir Arthur Eddington used the total solar eclipse of 29 May 1919 to test Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. Eddington provided evidence that gravity bends light by photographing stars near the Sun during totality. This phenomenon is called gravitational deflection.

A solar eclipse also played a crucial role in discovering helium in 1868. It happened during a total solar eclipse when astronomers studied the Sun’s spectrum. They noticed the mysterious yellow line in the Sun’s chromosphere. It was an unknown element called “helium” after “Helios”, the ancient Greek word for the Sun. This discovery was enabled because the Sun’s bright light was blocked, making its outer layers (like the chromosphere) easier to study.

The darkness of a solar eclipse also helps scientists to study the Sun’s atmosphere, called the corona. The corona is very faint, and usually it’s hard to see because the Sun is so much brighter. 

In 2021, scientists published findings based on over a decade of eclipse observations. Their research revealed that the corona maintains a relatively stable temperature despite the changes occurring in the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle.

Solar eclipses are useful for studying the Sun’s effects on Earth’s upper atmosphere. Understanding this region is important because many low-Earth orbit satellites and communications signals, such as radio waves, are located there. So, changes there can have significant impacts on our technology and communication systems.

The UK hasn’t seen a total solar eclipse since the late 90s. The last one was on 11 August 1999. The most recent solar eclipse visible from the UK was a partial one on 10 June 2021. Next time the opportunity to see the total solar eclipse from the UK isn’t expected until 23 September, 2090. However, the partial solar eclipse in March 2025 shouldn’t be underestimated – it is also a marvellous experience which you shouldn’t miss.