After the lunar eclipse .. the world prepares for a rare partial solar eclipse tomorrow

The world is set for a rare partial solar eclipse tomorrow Sunday, September 21, 2025, in an exceptional astronomical event known as "Equinox Eclipse", which can be seen only in the southern hemisphere.

Dr. Ashraf Tadros, a professor of astronomy at the National Institute for Astronomical Research in Egypt, confirmed that this partial eclipse occurs about two weeks after the total lunar eclipse, and it only happens when the moon is in the new moon phase, while the lunar eclipse occurs in the full moon phase.

He explained that the solar eclipse is the result of the moon's shadow falling on the Earth, while the lunar eclipse is the Earth's shadow falling on the moon.

The eclipse will be visible in specific areas in the southern hemisphere, including:

• Southern Australia

• Parts of the Pacific Ocean

• The Antarctic continent

At the peak of the event, the moon's disk will cover about 85.5% of the sun's disk, and the duration of the partial eclipse will last for about four hours and twenty-four minutes.

• Start of the eclipse: 04:00 AM New Zealand time

                         ( 15:00 GMT on Saturday 20 September).

• Peak of the eclipse: 06:10 AM New Zealand time

                         ( 17:10 GMT).

• End of the eclipse: 08:24 AM New Zealand time

                         (19:24 GMT).

Dr. Tadros confirmed that the partial solar eclipse will not be visible from Arab countries or most areas of the northern hemisphere, including Egypt, as the phenomenon is geographically restricted to the southern hemisphere.

He pointed out the importance of the solar and lunar eclipses in determining the beginnings and ends of lunar and Hijri months, as they clearly reflect the moon's movement around the Earth and the Earth's movement around the sun.

He also mentioned that eclipses and lunar eclipses recur in a cycle known as the "Saros Cycle" which lasts 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours, discovered by the Babylonians and ancient Egyptians.

This event is the second and last solar eclipse in 2025, as the maximum eclipse in the southern ocean between New Zealand and the Antarctic continent will reach 80%, while part of the Antarctic Peninsula will witness a partial eclipse of only 12% before sunset.

1 _ Use approved solar eclipse glasses that block harmful rays from the eyes.

2 _ Use special filters for cameras or telescopes designed for solar observation.

3 _ Do not look directly at the sun without protection to avoid permanent eye damage.

4 _ Use the shadow projection method, such as observing the shadow of the sun on paper or a white surface.

If you are in the specified viewing areas, do not miss the opportunity to follow this unique astronomical event that reflects the harmony of the movements of the Earth, moon, and sun in our sky.