Central Pa. will see a partial solar eclipse today. Here’s what to know.

• Katie Knol/WITF
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  Katie Knol is WITF's General Assignment Reporter & Host.
  
  She graduated from Penn State University in 2024, earning bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science. She has also worked at WPSU, the News Lab at Penn State, The Daily Collegian and CommRadio.

Central Pennsylvania will get a glimpse of a solar eclipse today when the moon passes between Earth and the sun.

Pa. will see 7% of the sun’s visible surface covered, compared to the total solar eclipse the state saw in 2024. Central Pennsylvania won’t see another total solar eclipse until 2079.

What is a (partial) solar eclipse?

A partial solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth but doesn’t fully cover it. People in the eclipse’s path will see a sliver of the sun blocked.

What time will the solar eclipse happen?

It depends on where you are!

For Pennsylvanians, the eclipse will be visible between approximately 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Maximum coverage for Pennsylvanian watchers — only about 7% of the sun’s visible surface — will happen shortly before 2 p.m.

Is it safe to look at a partial solar eclipse? 

No – not without proper eye protection

Looking directly at the sun can cause serious eye damage, even during a partial eclipse. Experts recommend eclipse glasses, which use filters to block the intense and dangerous light.

So if I don’t have eclipse glasses, what can I use?

You can still safely experience the eclipse by using everyday objects to create a projection: 

• Pinhole projector
  • Make a small hole in a piece of paper or cardboard, lining it up with another sheet underneath. As the sun shines on the top of the paper and through the pinhole, it should show the shadow moving onto the sun.
• Colander
  • Bring a colander outside and hold it over a piece of paper. Each hole will project the eclipse.

• Do-it-yourself eclipse projector
  • Make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, paper and aluminum foil. Sunlight will stream onto the paper through a pinhole punched into foil taped over a hole in the side of a box. Create a viewing window on the side to see the projected shadow.

Can I watch the solar eclipse online?

Yes, NASA will have live coverage of the eclipse, starting at 1:15 p.m. It will be available on Netflix, X, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and NASA+, according to NASA’s website.