On 21 September 2025, the final solar eclipse of the year will sweep across part of the Southern Hemisphere sky – just a day before the equinox.
It’s not a total eclipse, but a deep partial eclipse where the moon will block up to 86 percent of the sun at maximum.
Here’s who will get to see it…
Another September spectacle
This solar eclipse comes weeks after the recent total lunar eclipse that was visible across South Africa on 7 September.
Unfortunately for skywatchers in SA, this weekend’s eclipse won’t be visible from home. But it’s still one worth following. Thanks to livestreams and global coverage, South Africans can join in virtually as distant regions experience the spectacle.
So, who gets to see the solar eclipse in person? The best views will be in southern New Zealand, Antarctica, and scattered islands across the South Pacific. For those lucky enough to be in those areas, the timing adds an extra layer of significance.
The eclipse falls just before the September equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the shift into spring in the south and autumn in the north.
Whether in person or through a livestream, never view the sun directly without proper protection. Certified eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods are the only safe ways to experience these events.
Upcoming solar eclipses in South Africa
If you’re disappointed about missing out this time, mark your calendar, because South Africa has some exciting eclipses ahead:
- 16 September 2026 – Partial Solar Eclipse
Visible across much of southern Africa, with the moon covering a large bite of the sun near sunset. - 26 January 2028 – Annular Solar Eclipse
A rare “ring of fire” eclipse will cross South Africa. Durban and parts of KwaZulu-Natal will be in the path of annularity, with much of the country seeing a significant partial eclipse. - 25 November 2030 – Total Solar Eclipse
The big one. A total eclipse will sweep across South Africa, with cities like Johannesburg, Durban, and Maputo in Mozambique experiencing several minutes of totality. This will be one of the most dramatic astronomical events in living memory for the region.
