​​Celestial delight: Watch moon 'biting' the sun in these stunning photos of the last Solar Eclipse of the year​

A partial solar eclipse took place late on the night of September 21, creating a beautiful sky show for people in certain parts of the world. It began at 10:59 PM IST and reached its peak at 1:11 AM IST on September 22. What made this eclipse special is that it happened just before the September equinox, the time of year when day and night are almost equal and seasons begin to change.

This rare “equinox eclipse” was best seen from places like New Zealand, Antarctica, and parts of the South Pacific, where up to 86% of the sun was covered by the moon. In those areas, the eclipse started at sunrise, making the sun look like a glowing crescent just above the horizon.



What is a partial solar eclipse
A partial solar eclipse happens when the moon passes in front of the sun, but only blocks part of it. To people on the ground, it can look like the moon has taken a bite out of the sun. Even though this eclipse wasn’t visible from India, it caught the attention of skywatchers around the world and gave us some stunning views from the Southern Hemisphere.

Here are some amazing photos from the rare equinox partial solar eclipse where the Sun seems to be taking a bite from the Sun

Unlike a total solar eclipse, the sun is never fully covered, so the sky doesn’t turn completely dark. Partial solar eclipses always occur during the new moon phase, when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun.Photo: Monstarz/ Instagram

Unlike a total solar eclipse, the sun is never fully covered, so the sky doesn’t turn completely dark. Partial solar eclipses always occur during the new moon phase, when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun.Photo; Time and Date/Footage by Dunedin Astronomical Society

It is commonly noticed that the sunlight dims, but it never disappears entirely. Shadows on the ground can look sharper or even create unusual patterns.Photo: Time and Date/Footage by Dunedin Astronomical Society

You can see a partial solar eclipse only if you are inside the moon’s partial shadow, called the penumbra. This shadow covers a much larger area than the small path of totality seen during a total eclipse. As a result, partial eclipses can often be viewed over large regions or entire countries.Photo: @p_a_e_s/X

It is very important to never look directly at the sun during a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection because it can seriously damage your eyes. Always use certified eclipse glasses or special solar viewers made for safe viewing.Photo: @geographyhost/X