Skywatchers in the northeastern United States are in for a celestial treat this Saturday, as a partial solar eclipse will transform the rising Sun into a dramatic crescent just after dawn. While not the total blackout that captivated millions last April, this event promises a striking display for early risers, with up to 93% of the Sun obscured in northern Maine and a noticeable bite taken out of its disk as far south as Virginia. Astronomers and enthusiasts alike are buzzing with excitement over the rare sunrise spectacle, though experts urge caution and proper eye protection for safe viewing. The partial solar eclipse, caused by the Moon passing between Earth and the Sun, will be visible across a swath of the Northeast, from the Great Lakes to New England, with the deepest coverage concentrated in northern states. Unlike a total eclipse, the Moon won’t fully block the Sun, leaving a brilliant sliver of light visible at its peak. “This is a beautiful chance to see the Sun in a new way, especially at sunrise,” said Dr. Amy Mainzer, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona. “It’s not as rare as a total eclipse, but the timing and location make it special.” The eclipse kicks off globally at 4:50 AM EDT (8:50 UTC) and reaches its maximum at 6:47 AM EDT (10:47 UTC), when the Moon covers about 83% of the Sun’s diameter as seen from the North Pole—the event’s epicenter. For U.S. viewers, the show begins at sunrise—around 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM EDT, depending on location—and ends by 8:43 AM EDT (12:43 UTC). In northern Maine, near Presque Isle, the Sun will rise with up to 93% of its surface obscured, offering the most dramatic view in the country. Burlington, Vermont, will see 76%, while Boston clocks in at 43%. Farther south, New York City will catch a modest 22% coverage, and Washington, D.C., a mere 1-5% just as the eclipse winds down. Western and southern states, including California, Texas, and Florida, will miss out entirely, as the Sun rises after the eclipse concludes in those regions. The best views require a clear eastern horizon, free of buildings or trees, and clear skies—though early spring weather in the Northeast could pose a challenge. “If clouds cooperate, folks in Maine might even see a ‘devil’s horns’ effect, where the Sun looks like a crescent with points,” said Patrick Moriarty, an eclipse educator with the Planetary Society. “It’s a rare atmospheric trick at sunrise.” Beyond the U.S., the eclipse will sweep across parts of Canada—where Newfoundland sees 94% coverage—before crossing the Atlantic to Greenland, Iceland, and northern Europe. It’s not an annular eclipse (where the Moon leaves a “ring of fire”), nor a total one, but its partial nature spans a vast region. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory will livestream the event, offering a front-row seat for those outside the visibility zone or thwarted by weather. This eclipse marks the first of two solar eclipses in 2025, with an annular eclipse set for September 21 visible primarily in the Pacific. It’s also a prelude to the next total eclipse to cross the U.S. on August 22-23, 2044, though partial eclipses like this weekend’s occur more frequently—about once every few years in any given region. Experts are emphatic: viewing a partial solar […]