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A partial solar eclipse will be visible across Finland on Saturday 29 March, offering a rare celestial event observable nationwide. The eclipse will be most prominent in northwestern areas and least visible in the southeast.
According to the Ursa Astronomical Association, the eclipse will begin shortly after midday, reach its maximum between 13:36 and 13:43, and end by approximately 14:30.
In Kilpisjärvi, the Moon will obscure up to 47 percent of the Sun’s diameter. In Helsinki, the eclipse will cover around 28 percent of the solar disc, with the peak occurring at 13:38.
No part of the world will see a total eclipse during this event. The deepest partial phases will be visible in eastern Canada, while the phenomenon will be partial everywhere else, including in Finland.
The eclipse is linked to the lunar eclipse that occurred on 14 March, which was only partially visible in Finland as a penumbral shadow. Ursa notes that such celestial pairings often occur in close succession.
Observers across the country are advised to protect their eyes while viewing the event. Ursa strongly warns against looking at the eclipse without proper protection, as the Sun’s rays can cause permanent retinal damage in seconds. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient. Only certified eclipse glasses or welding filters with a minimum shade rating of 14 should be used.
Ursa emphasises that even during partial eclipses, safe viewing methods are essential. Looking directly at the Sun without protection, even when it appears partly covered, can result in serious eye injury.
The last partial eclipse visible across Finland occurred on 25 October 2022. The next nationwide partial solar eclipse will take place on 12 August 2026.
Total solar eclipses are far rarer. The last one visible in Finland happened in July 1990, and the next will not occur until October 2126. According to Ursa, a full eclipse is visible from any single location in Finland only about once every 400 years.
The partial eclipse is expected to draw the attention of amateur astronomers and skywatchers, weather permitting. Ursa recommends following local forecasts and planning ahead to view the event safely and effectively.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
