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🗞️ Driving the news: Two major celestial events will occur this Sunday, September 21, offering sky-watchers rare opportunities
• A partial solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the South Pacific, New Zealand, Antarctica, and Australia, peaking at 3:41 p.m. ET
• Meanwhile, observers in the Northern Hemisphere can look up at Saturn at opposition—when the planet is brightest and directly opposite the sun—starting at 2:00 a.m. ET
🔭 The context: This partial solar eclipse marks the final solar eclipse of 2025. Unlike a total eclipse, the moon will only cover part of the sun’s disk, creating a crescent-like visual
• Concurrently, Saturn’s opposition occurs roughly once a year and is a prime time for planetary viewing, especially under darker skies and low moonlight interference
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: While these events are not directly tied to environmental concerns, they offer valuable opportunities to engage the public with astronomy and science education
• Events like eclipses and planetary oppositions promote scientific curiosity and remind observers of the Earth's place within broader celestial systems—supporting long-term interest in space-based research that underpins climate monitoring and planetary science
⏭️ What's next: The next major solar eclipse visible from broader regions will occur in 2026, including parts of the U.S.
• For now, those outside the Southern Hemisphere can enjoy Saturn through early October, ideally with a telescope to view its iconic rings
• Upcoming supermoons and meteor showers—including the Harvest Moon on October 6 and Geminids in mid-December—will continue to offer sky-watching highlights throughout the year
💬 One quote: "You can easily see Saturn when it’s at opposition with your naked eye… but I suggest people find a local astronomy club and look through a telescope,” said Jason Rhodes, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
📈 One stat: The eclipse will last from 1:29 p.m. to 5:53 p.m. ET, with maximum coverage at 3:41 p.m. ET—though visibility is limited to select Southern Hemisphere regions
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