Partial solar eclipse 2025: The moon will take a bite of the sun on March 29

Just over two weeks after a total lunar eclipse, the U.S. will be dazzled by a partial solar eclipse. For skywatchers in the northeastern U.S. and Canada this week, it will appear as though the moon took a bite out of the sun.

The eclipse will occur in the early hours of Saturday, March 29, according to Space.com. A partial solar eclipse is when the moon comes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on our planet without fully blocking out the sun. The moon will produce a striking crescent sun at sunrise, giving the northeastern states the best views.

Even though it's only a partial eclipse, you'll need eye protection to view it at all times. More on that later.

When and where the partial solar eclipse will be visible

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Which states will have the best views?

The eclipse will occur between 4:50 a.m. to 8:43 a.m. ET on March 29, according to Space.com. More than 800 million people will be within some portion of the eclipse, TimeandDate.com says.

The solar eclipse won't cover as much area as last year's Great North American Eclipse, but it will be visible on the eastern horizon for the District of Columbia and 13 Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia.

What time is the partial solar eclipse visible?

What happens during a partial solar eclipse?

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, but the three bodies are not quite in line. It appears as if only a portion of the sun is covered, giving it a crescent shape.

Protect your eyes during a partial solar eclipse

Remember this is a solar eclipse, not a lunar eclipse.

It's never safe to look at the sun with the naked eye. A partial solar eclipse can expose your eyes to possibly harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without proper eye protection, you can suffer "eclipse blindness" within seconds of staring at the sun. The American Optometric Association says eclipse blindness can lead to a serious injury in which the eye’s retina is damaged by solar radiation.

If you buy eclipse glasses, be sure they are made by companies the American Astronomical Society and NASA have certified as safe. The glasses should have the "ISO" (International Organization for Standardization) icon. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.

CONTRIBUTING Natalie Alund, Anthony Robledo and Jim Sergent

SOURCE NASA, Space.com, TimeandDate.com, Forbes and USA TODAY research

This story was updated to add new information.