The sky becomes a majestic astronomical stage, where the earth, the moon and the sun execute choreographies of light and shadow when aligning. One of the most dazzling phenomena is the total solar eclipse, which for a brief moments darkens the sky and turns the day into a fleeting night that amazes the world.
According to scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this phenomenon occurs when the moon stands between the Sun and the Earth, temporarily blocking sunlight. Unlike lunar eclipse, this alignment allows the shadow of the moon to project on the earth’s surface, making visible, only in some regions, the solar crown: a bright ring that surrounds the star King.
This type of eclipse, which was visible in April 2024 in parts of central America and partially in March 2025, will be repeated again in September. The phenomenon occurs when the moon is positioned precisely between the earth and the sun, projecting its shadow on the planet.
During that brief period, the earth’s surface is mired in total darkness and the sky becomes an unforgettable natural show, NASA details.
The total solar eclipse develops in phases that make it a phenomenon in motion. According to National Geographicthe umbra – the darkest part of the lunar shadow – and the gloom – its peripheral zone – mark the key moments of the event. Each stage offers a different image of the sun, and in some points of the planet, these eclipses can take decades to repeat.
The visibility of the eclipse, according to the same source, depends on the diameter of the moon and its distance to the earth. When both factors coincide, the apparent size of the natural satellite is large enough to cover the solar disc, either partially or totally.
The portal Exploredorium He explains that, when the moon enters the Umbra area, it completely blocks the view of the sun, allowing to observe its outer atmosphere: the solar crown, a luminous halo that normally remains hidden. In the Penumbra phase, on the other hand, the eclipse is partial and fades as the alignment between the three celestial bodies progresses.
When will it be the next solar eclipse?
NASA informs that the next solar eclipse will occur on September 21, 2025. It will be a partial eclipse – not total – visible from New Zealand and some regions of Antarctica.
After this event, an astronomical phenomenon of great relevance is expected on August 12, 2026: a total visible solar eclipse in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small area of Portugal. According to National Geographicthis will be one of the most anticipated shows of the astronomical calendar.
In other regions, such as the rest of Europe, Africa, North America, and large areas of the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Ocean, the eclipse will be partial.
The total phase of the Eclipse will be observed again on August 2, 2027 and will mark a historical moment: the phenomenon will cross the famous pyramids of Egypt, an unpublished fact for current generations, as detailed by the same medium.
Solar eclipses dates: partial, annular and total
- September 21, 2025: Partial eclipse
- February 17, 2026: eclipse annular
- August 12 Dand 2026: Total eclipse
- February 6, 2027: Eclipse annular
- August 2, 2027: Total eclipse
- January 26, 2028: Eclipse annular
- July 22, 2028: Total eclipse
- November 25, 2030: Total eclipse
- March 30, 2033: Total eclipse
- March 20, 2034: Total eclipse
- September 2, 2035: Total eclipse