During a total solar eclipse, the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up so that the Sun is blocked when viewed from within the Moons shadow in the world.
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, some people in the Southern Hemisphere will have the chance to experience a overall or partial eclipse of the Sun.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon relocations between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth, completely or partly obstructing the Suns light in some areas. Weather condition allowing, people in the path of a total solar eclipse can see the Suns corona, the outer atmosphere, which is otherwise normally obscured by the brilliant face of the Sun.
The only location where this overall solar eclipse can be seen is Antarctica.
In some places, while viewers wont get to see the total solar eclipse, theyll instead experience a partial solar eclipse. When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not precisely lined up, this occurs. The Sun will appear to have a dark shadow on only part of its surface area. Viewers in parts of Saint Helena, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, Crozet Islands, Falkland Islands, Chile, New Zealand, and Australia will see a partial solar eclipse on December 4.
In a number of these locations, the eclipse will happen previously, during, and after dawn or sunset. This implies that viewers will need to get a clear view of the horizon during daybreak or sunset in order to see the eclipse.
To see more information about exactly where this eclipse will take place, in addition to more extensive clinical information, please utilize this image:
Download this reality sheet for more information about eclipses, eclipse security, and enjoyable eclipse activities:
Live Stream
Weather permitting, a view of the total solar eclipse from Union Glacier, Antarctica, will be streamed on YouTube and on nasa.gov/ live. This stream is thanks to Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition.
The stream starts at 1:30 a.m. EST. Totality starts at 2:44 a.m. EST. The stream ends at 3:37 a.m. EST
. How to Safely Watch a Total or Partial Solar Eclipse
It is never ever safe to look straight at the Sun, even if the Sun is partly or mainly obscured. When seeing a partial solar eclipse, you should wear solar viewing or eclipse glasses throughout the entire eclipse if you want to face the Sun. Solar viewing or eclipses glasses are NOT routine sunglasses; routine sunglasses are not safe for seeing the Sun.
If you are in the course of an overall solar eclipse, you can remove your solar watching or eclipse glasses only when the Moon is completely obstructing the Sun. To learn when you can safely remove your glasses, see this page.
If you do not have solar watching or eclipse glasses, you can utilize an alternate indirect approach, such as a pinhole projector. Pinhole projectors shouldnt be utilized to look straight at the Sun, however rather to task sunlight onto a surface area. Read a how-to guide for producing a pinhole viewer.
In October 2023, an annular solar eclipse will cross North America. Then, just 6 months later, in April 2024, an overall solar eclipse will cross the continent. These events supply an unique opportunity for individuals in the United States to experience an eclipse.
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves in between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth, completely or partly blocking the Suns light in some locations. For an overall solar eclipse to take place, the Sun, Moon, and Earth should be in a direct line. Weather allowing, people in the path of an overall solar eclipse can see the Suns corona, the external atmosphere, which is otherwise generally obscured by the bright face of the Sun.
In some places, while audiences wont get to see the overall solar eclipse, theyll rather experience a partial solar eclipse. When viewing a partial solar eclipse, you should wear solar viewing or eclipse glasses throughout the entire eclipse if you want to face the Sun.