Partial solar eclipse to grace skies at end of March

Astronomy enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting a rare celestial event on Saturday, March 29, as the Northern Hemisphere will witness a partial solar eclipse—the first of its kind since October 2024. This phenomenon follows a total lunar eclipse observed in North America just two weeks earlier, making 2025 a remarkable year for skywatchers.

The eclipse will begin at sunrise in parts of North America and extend across Greenland, Iceland, Europe, North Africa, and northwestern Russia. In some regions, up to 93% of the Sun’s disk will be obscured by the Moon, creating a breathtaking spectacle, especially during sunrise or sunset. Northern Quebec, Canada, particularly the Akulivik area, will be one of the best locations for viewing, with an impressive 93.1% coverage.

In Islamic tradition, Muslims are required to perform Salat al-Ayat (Prayer of Signs) during a solar eclipse, according to the rulings of Grand Ayatollah Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi. The prayer consists of two rakʿah, each including five rukū, and is performed as the eclipse begins.