Saturday March 29, 2025astronomy enthusiasts will be able to attend a rare and fascinating celestial show: apartial solar eclipse will be visible also from Italy. After the penumbraral lunar eclipse of March 14, it is now the sun that is temporarily “bitten” by the moon. A phenomenon that will involve the whole national territory, with different covers from north to south.
THE’National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) confirms that it will be the only solar eclipse of the year observable by our country, with a maximum darkening of 23% in the north-west and only of the 4% in the South. An unmissable opportunity to live up close an evocative astronomical phenomenon, provided that the Visual security rules.
What is a solar eclipse and because that of March 29 will be only partial in Italy
The phenomenon happens when the moon stands between the earth and the sun, but its shadow cone will cover only a part of the sun disk
During a solar eclipse, the Luna positions itself between the earth and the sunpartially or totally obscuring it depending on the alignment. If the moon is further away from the earth, its disc does not cover the entire sun and you have an eclipse annular. If instead the alignment is perfect, an eclipse occurs total. In our case, the moon will cover Just a portion of the sungiving rise to an eclipse partial.
The event of March 29, 2025 is part of the Saros cycle 149a cyclical series of eclipses that repeat every about 18 years. The lunar shadow will pass on theNorthern Atlanticmarginally touching southern Europe. Italy will therefore be affected only by penumbramaking the phenomenon partial but still suggestive.
Where and when to look at the sky to admire the eclipse of 29 March
The maximum coverage will vary from 4% to the south up to 23% in the northwest: the highlight will be around noon
The eclipse will be visible in the morning of Saturday 29 Marchwith hours slightly different from city to city. The peak will occur Between 12:00 and 12:15while the beginning will be around 11:20 and the end just before 13:00.
Table with times and percentages for the main Italian cities
| City | Start eclipse | Maximum darkening | Sun coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aosta | 11:25 | 12:15 | 23% |
| Milan | 11:27 | 12:16 | 21% |
| Verona | 11:28 | 12:15 | 19% |
| Bologna | 11:30 | 12:14 | 17% |
| Padua | 11:29 | 12:14 | 18% |
| Florence | 11:31 | 12:13 | 12% |
| Rome | 11:33 | 12:12 | 8% |
| Naples | 11:35 | 12:11 | 6% |
| Palermo | 11:39 | 12:10 | 4% |
The Northern Italy It will have the best visibility, while in the south the effect will be milder. However, wherever it will be possible to observe the phenomenon, weather conditions permitting.
Attention to security: never directly observe the sun without protections
Looking at the sun with a naked eye or with unprotected tools is dangerous: certified filters or indirect methods are needed
Although the eclipse is partial, Never look at the sun without adequate protections. Even a small portion of sunlight can irreversibly damage the retina. It is essential to use:
Absolutely avoid the use of sunglasses, dark glasses, CD/DVD or photographic slabs: they do not protect the sight in any way.
Many Italian planetaries and observers They will organize events for the public with safe tools and scientific explanations. Among these, the Astronomical Observatory of Brera and the Planetarium of Milan.
When will the next eclipse visible from Italy?
In 2026 there is a total eclipse visible from Spain, but northern Italy will also be able to admire a part
Those who cannot attend this eclipse will have to wait for the 12 August 2026 For the next observable from Italy. On that occasion, there will be one Total solar eclipse visible from Spainbut also Northern Italy will be able to enjoy an eclipse partial with higher percentages than that of March 2025.
