The Moon’s shadow will obscure 54% of the Sun during the first partial solar eclipse of the year on April 30th.
The Moon does not completely obscure the Sun during a partial solar eclipse. (Photo: NASA)
At the end of April, the partial solar eclipse will be visible in many areas including Antarctica, the southern tip of South America, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The eclipse will begin at 2:45 PM EDT on April 30th, which is 2:45 AM on May 1st in Hanoi, and people in these regions will be able to observe the event. The maximum eclipse will occur at 4:41 PM and the event will conclude at 6:37 PM the same day according to Hanoi time.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, partially obscuring the Sun from the perspective of an observer on Earth. During the upcoming event, viewers in the path of the eclipse will see the Moon cover up to 54% of the Sun. However, those living outside this area may only see a small portion of the Sun hidden behind the Moon’s shadow. Observers closer to the path of the eclipse will see a greater obscuration of the Sun. The eclipse reaches its peak when the Moon’s shadow is closest to the center of the Earth.
The partial solar eclipse on April 30th occurs just four days before the Moon reaches its farthest point from the Earth. This will be one of two partial solar eclipses in 2022, with the other occurring on October 25th. Eclipse watchers should wear protective eyewear, as looking directly at the Sun can cause retinal damage.
