Partial solar eclipse on September 21: Celestial phenomenon to be visible to 16 million- Know if you can see it or not

On September 21, 2025, a cool celestial event called a partial solar eclipse will take place, and it’s gonna be seen by around 16 million people! But before getting too excited, here’s the lowdown on what exactly is happening, where to watch it, and if it’s visible from your part of the world.
Unlike a total solar eclipse where the Moon completely covers the Sun, a partial solar eclipse is when the Moon blocks just a part of the Sun’s disk. So instead of the sun going fully dark, it looks like a big crescent shape. It’s pretty spectacular in its own right — imagine the Sun looking like it’s taking a bite out of itself! This one is particularly special because it will block up to around 80-85% of the Sun at its peak in the best viewing spots.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 21, 2025. Depending on where you are, the timings will vary, but in UTC terms it starts at 17:29 and goes on till 21:53. In places like India, it happens overnight, so sadly, not visible directly there. Most of the visibility happens in the morning hours of September 22 in places like New Zealand and Australia due to time zones.

This eclipse will mainly be visible in the Southern Hemisphere. The best viewing spots are:
New Zealand: Especially the southern part, with peak coverage up to 80%, where the eclipse creates a dramatic crescent effect as the sun rises.
Australia: Eastern and southern parts including cities like Sydney and Melbourne will witness the eclipse but with slightly less coverage than New Zealand.
Pacific Islands: Nations like Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and several others in Oceania will also catch some partial coverage.
Antarctica: The longest duration and some of the highest percentage coverage will be seen here, though only a few have the opportunity to watch from this remote place.
On the other hand, many northern hemisphere countries like the US, Canada, India, and most of Europe won’t see the eclipse directly. People in those locations can still enjoy it by watching live streams or online broadcasts.

This part is super important: Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection during any solar eclipse, partial or total. Even if the Sun looks mostly covered, the rays can cause serious and permanent damage to your eyes. Use certified solar eclipse glasses or viewers specifically designed for solar observation. Regular sunglasses won’t cut it! Safety first, always.

Besides being the last solar eclipse of 2025, this event happens just a day before the September equinox, adding a bit of cosmic flair. It’s also a reminder of the universe’s grandeur and how celestial body movements line up perfectly for us to witness such rare phenomena.

For those curious in India and a lot of South Asia, this eclipse will pass mostly unseen. It happens overnight by the time it’s happening over the southern hemisphere, so it won’t be visible to the naked eye. But you can always catch the live coverage online and safely experience this cosmic treat digitally.

Nope, the US won’t get to see the partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025. The Moon’s shadow will mostly be over the Southern Hemisphere, so the eclipse will be visible mainly in places like New Zealand, eastern Australia, and some Pacific islands. For folks in the US, the best bet is to catch it online through live streams or wait for the next eclipse event visible in North America, which is coming up in August 2026. So, no eclipse party in the US this time around, but the show will be spectacular down under!
Representational images