Is this 2027 celestial event going to be the eclipse of the century?
A historic total solar eclipse is happening in 2027. Will you see it?
A partial solar eclipse will occur over the weekend, but it will only be visible depending on where you are in the world, according to NASA.
The eclipse, which will occur on Sunday, Sept. 21, will not be visible in the U.S., but it will be visible in Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, according to the agency.
This is the second eclipse to occur in September. The first was a total lunar eclipse that occurred from Sept. 7 to Sept. 8, but that eclipse wasn’t visible in the U.S. either.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the partial solar eclipse, when it is, and how it happens.
What is a partial solar eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, but the three bodies are not perfectly aligned, according to NASA.
“Only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a crescent shape,” NASA stated on its website.
Who will be able to see the partial solar eclipse on Sunday?
The solar eclipse will only be visible in the following areas:
AustraliaAntarcticaPacific OceanAtlantic OceanFall equinox is the day after the partial solar eclipse
The fall equinox will occur on Monday, Sept. 22, according to NASA, the day after the solar eclipse is set to take place.
The equinox occurs twice a year, once in March and once in September, when the day and night are of equal length.
“The equinox marks the exact moment when the center of the Sun crosses the plane of our planet’s equator,” according to NASA. “The day of an equinox, observers at the equator will see the Sun directly overhead at noon.”
When will the next eclipse be visible in the US?
On August 12, 2026, a total eclipse will occur and be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal.
However, a partial eclipse will also be visible in North America and the following areas, according to NASA:
EuropeAfricaThe Atlantic OceanThe Arctic OceanThe Pacific Ocean
There will also be an annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17, 2026, which occurs “when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth,” NASA stated on its website. “Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the Sun.”
The annular eclipse will only be visible in parts of Antarctica, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Africa, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and different parts of Antarctica.
Do you need special equipment to see the eclipse?
If you are in an area where the eclipse is visible, you should always wear protective solar eclipse glasses when looking at the sun.
“Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury,” according to NASA.
When will the next total eclipse happen in the US?
The next total solar eclipse to occur in the contiguous United States will happen on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
When did the last total eclipse occur?
The last total eclipse to be visible in the U.S. occurred on April 8, 2024
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com