Solar Eclipse 2022: Watch 1st partial Surya Grahan of 2022, NASA reveals date; Here's how

Solar Eclipse 2022: The first solar eclipse of 2022 is on its way! Yes, on April 30, 2022, Saturday, the first partial solar eclipse will take place. People in parts of southern South America, Antarctica, and the Pacific and Southern Oceans will have a chance to witness the partial solar eclipse just before and during sunset, as per the information provided by Solar System Exploration, NASA. "As it sets in the west on the evening of April 30, the Sun will appear partially eclipsed for those with clear skies in Chile, Argentina, most of Uruguay, western Paraguay, southwestern Bolivia, southeastern Peru, and a small area of southwestern Brazil," NASA said.

The eclipse will also be visible along parts of the northwestern coastline of Antarctica, in the Atlantic Ocean just off the southeastern coast of South America, including the Falkland Islands, and in much of the South Pacific Ocean and Southern Ocean. Thus, it can be noted that the eclipse will not be seen in India. Do you know how a solar eclipse happens? Check it out below.

What is Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves exactly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth, fully or partially blocking the Sun’s light in some areas. During a partial eclipse, the Moon and Sun are not perfectly aligned, so the Moon does not completely cover the Sun. This gives the Sun a crescent shape, or makes it appear as if a “bite” has been taken out of the Sun, depending on how much of the Sun is covered by the Moon. While for a total solar eclipse to take place, the Sun, Moon, and Earth must be in a direct line, according to NASA.

Solar Eclipse 2022: How to watch a partial eclipse safely

It is never safe to look directly at the Sun, even if the Sun is partly or mostly obscured. You need a safe solar filter in order to safely look directly at the Sun. When viewing a partial solar eclipse, you must wear solar viewing or eclipse glasses throughout the entire eclipse if you want to face the Sun. It can be noted that solar viewing or eclipses glasses are not regular sunglasses and regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the Sun.

If you do not have solar viewing or eclipse glasses, you can use an alternate indirect method, such as a pinhole projector. You need to know that pinhole projectors should not be used to look directly at the Sun, but instead to project sunlight onto a surface.