The sky has a special date with a partial solar eclipse on September 21, a very deep event that will occur just before the equinox. Although it won't be total, coverage will be noticeable in certain latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, with particular emphasis on the Pacific.
Those who are in the right area will see the Moon bite into the solar disk during 264 minutes, from 17:29 to 21:53 UTC. In Spain and the rest of Europe it will not be visible to the naked eye, but there will be live broadcasts to follow it without missing a detail.
When and where it will be seen
The phenomenon will begin in the Pacific Ocean at 17: 29 UTC and will reach its peak over the Southern Ocean, ending at 21: 53 UTC. Due to the time difference, in New Zealand the maximum will be experienced at sunrise on Monday 22nd, with the Sun already partially covered as it rises over the horizon.
Visibility will be concentrated in the southern hemisphere: New Zealand, several Pacific islands (such as Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa) and areas of Antarctica will enjoy the best views. In Europe, including Spain, and much of America, the event will not be directly observable.
If you are looking for local equivalents: in peninsular time the approximate interval would be 19:29–23:53; in City of Mexico and Guatemala the window will go from 11:29 to 15:53. In the Continental United States There will be no direct visibility, so it will be advisable to resort to live broadcasts.
As this is a partial eclipse, there will not be total darkness: ambient lighting will become cooler and shadows will appear sharper, but the daylight will not disappear completely, not even in places with the best coverage.
Magnitude and best observation locations
The eclipse will be deep partial, with a maximum near magnitude 0,86 over the South Pacific. This means that, at its peak over the ocean, the Moon will reach hide about 86% of the apparent solar diameter.
On land, the highest percentages will be concentrated in the southern tip of New Zealand and at scientific stations in Antarctica. A notable spectacle is also expected on some Pacific islands and in one narrow strip of southeastern Australia.
- Invercargill (New Zealand): around 72% coverage
- Oban, Stewart Island (NZ): about 73% at dawn
- Christchurch (NZ): around the 69%
- Wellington (NZ): about 66%
- Auckland (NZ): around 61%
- Macquarie Island (Australia): values close to 78–80%
- Mario Zucchelli Base (Antarctica): around the 72%
- McMurdo Station (Antarctica): about 69%
- Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa: partial coverage, minor but striking
Outside these regions, including the Iberian Peninsula, there will be no direct view. However, the proximity to the equinox gives the event special interest, as it coincides with the time when the Sun crosses the celestial equator.
How to follow it from outside the visible area
If you find yourself in a place with no visibility, the most practical option is to use the live broadcasts from specialized portals and observatories. Among them, the Timeanddate channel often offers multi-camera coverage from different points on the planet.
It is advisable to check the start time in your local time zone so as not to miss the moment of maximum coverageIn New Zealand, for example, observation will start at dawn on Monday 22nd, with the Moon already in the middle when the Sun rises over the horizon.
In addition to the live signal, many astronomical institutions and groups share interactive maps, simulators and anniversaries that make it easier to understand the trajectory of the shadow and the phases of the eclipse at each location.
Safety for observation and upcoming events
Looking directly at the sun without protection is dangerous under any circumstances, even during a partial sun. Always use certified eclipse glasses or visors that comply with the standard ISO 12312-2; conventional sunglasses are of no use.
If you don't have filters, opt for indirect methods, such as pinhole projection or devices with a specific solar filter on telescopes and binoculars. Avoid homemade solutions (X-rays, tinted glass), as They do not protect the retina.
After this event, the calendar marks a annular solar eclipse on February 17, 2026 (mainly in Antarctic latitudes) and a partial lunar eclipse on March 2The big event for a good part of the Iberian Peninsula will arrive on August 12th, 2026 with a total solar eclipse visible from areas of Spain.
With the Moon intervening just one day before the equinox, this eclipse brings together very attractive ingredients: well-defined schedules, a concentrated visibility map and the possibility of following it live from anywhere, always with adequate security and with an eye on upcoming anniversaries.