On Saturday, March 29, 2025, Turin will be the stage for a partial solar eclipse, during which the Moon will obscure a portion of the solar disk. This celestial event will be visible in various parts of Europe, with the maximum obscuration expected around 11:35 local time. To celebrate this rare astronomical phenomenon, the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), in collaboration with OGR Torino, is organizing a public observation at the Corte Est of the OGR. The event will start at 10:30, with free access for all interested parties.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to safely observe the eclipse using portable telescopes provided by the Astrophysical Observatory of Turin. Scientific staff will be present to assist and guide attendees in their observations, offering detailed explanations about the phenomenon. Protective glasses will also be distributed for a direct and safe view of the Sun.
The eclipse will only be partial. The northwest region of Italy will be the most affected, where the solar disk will be obscured by approximately 12%. This obscuration will gradually decrease as one moves east and south, with the southeastern regions not experiencing the eclipse at all. The maximum eclipse in Italy is expected around noon, depending on the specific location.
Moreover, viewers will be able to admire the eclipse from locations on the planet closest to the maximum of this phenomenon, from Canada to Scandinavia, thanks to our international partners at TimeAndDate. The broadcast will continue until 13:30, even after the eclipse concludes in Italy. From Trieste to Genoa, from Saint-Barthélemy (Aosta) to Rome, the eclipse can be observed live with telescopes from various INAF locations on the YouTube and Facebook channels of EduInaf, hosted by Federica Duras.
Two guests will participate in the transmission: Ilaria Ermolli from INAF Rome and Mauro Messerotti from INAF Trieste, and viewers will have the chance to ask questions live through the chat on YouTube and Facebook. To bring the eclipse into classrooms, EduINAF offers a series of materials to explain and deepen understanding of the phenomenon: a teaching activity dedicated to building a viewer for safe observation; a video discussing the Moon and how our satellite becomes the protagonist in an eclipse; an infographic explaining what an eclipse is; and a recounting of the historic eclipse of 1919, which helped demonstrate general relativity.
It is crucial to remember never to look directly at the Sun, whether during an eclipse (partial or total) or at any other time. To avoid damage to eyesight, appropriate protective systems and/or tools for safe observation of the Sun must be used, such as special glasses (easily obtainable, look for the ISO 12312-2 label). It is important to note that in the event of adverse weather conditions, the event will be canceled. Therefore, it is advisable to check updates provided by the organizers before heading to the event.
The partial solar eclipse occurring on March 29, 2025, will start around 11:30 in the morning, with the peak occurring at 12:00. In Italy, the maximum visibility will be in the Northwest regions, where the Sun is obscured up to about 12%. Unfortunately, weather conditions are not favorable, but for those who can spot some clear sky today, there will be a spectacle to admire. If the skies clear, viewers will see the Sun beginning to be obscured by the Moon around 11:30, reaching its peak at noon.
The phenomenon is expected to be well visible from much of Central and Northern Europe, with varying degrees of obscuration. In Italy, the regions most affected will be the Northwest, where the solar disk will be obscured by up to 12%. The event will be less visible in the Central-South regions, where the obscuration will decrease significantly.
As the eclipse approaches, astronomers and enthusiasts alike are gearing up for the event. Walter Ferreri, an astronomer at INAF, encourages the public to observe this rare astronomical phenomenon, reminding everyone that while the eclipse will be partial, it remains a spectacular event. He notes that the phenomenon occurs with precision, like many astronomical events, and should not be missed.
For those wanting to follow the eclipse from home, the INAF will organize a live stream starting at 11:15, which will showcase the spectacle in the Italian skies through telescopes from various locations. The public will be able to ask questions to experts connected from INAF's locations in Rome, Trieste, Aosta, and Genoa. Additionally, TimeandDate will also provide a live international broadcast starting at 10:30, featuring an interactive map to track the exact times and percentages of obscuration in different cities.
Looking ahead, another solar eclipse is scheduled for September 21, 2025, but it will not be visible from Italy. However, an almost total eclipse will be observable at sunset in many Italian cities on August 12, 2026, with up to 90% obscuration in the North. Moreover, on August 2, 2027, a total eclipse will be visible in Lampedusa, with partial eclipses of 90% in Palermo, 82% in Rome, and 70% in Turin.
As this partial solar eclipse approaches, it serves as a reminder of the wonders of our universe and the importance of observing celestial events safely and responsibly. With appropriate preparations and a good observation point, viewers can fully appreciate the magic of a phenomenon that, even in its partiality, continues to amaze.
