Skygazers marvel at Saturday’s partial solar eclipse

Skygazers in some parts of the world have been enthralled catching the Moon passing between the Sun and the Earth, making a partial solar eclipse.

Saturday’s eclipse was visible throughout Europe, including Greenland, the far northwest of Africa and Newfoundland, weather permitting. Clouds meant some were unable to see up to one-fifth of the Sun obscured by the Moon.

During a solar eclipse, the Moon stands between the Earth and the Sun. And since the three are not completely aligned, when the Moon passes through the other two, it obscures only part of the Sun.

The next partial solar eclipse in Europe is due to fall on August 12, 2026, with more than 80 percent of the Sun set to be covered.

A seagull passes a partial solar eclipse above Greenland’s capital Nuuk, Greenland]Leonhard Foeger/Reuters]

A composite image of 7 separate photographs taken with a single fixed camera shows the partial solar eclipse seen from Castillo del Romeral, on the island of Gran Canaria. Spain, March 29, 2025. REUTERS/Borja Suarez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — A composite image of 7 separate photographs taken with a single fixed camera shows the partial solar eclipse seen from Castillo del Romeral, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain]Borja Suarez/Reuters]

However, the next total eclipse – which occurs when the Moon completely blocks out the sun – in the region will not occur until 2081. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the sun’s light on one side, and casting a shadow on a small area of Earth on its other side.