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Solar eclipse 2025 in Montreal: where and how to see rare solar horns

The first solar eclipse of 2025 will be visible this weekend with ​​a chance to witness a rare phenomenon.

Laura Osborne
Written by
Laura Osborne
Editor, Time Out Canada
Solar eclipse
Photograph: Shutterstock / John Fader
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A few weeks after spotting the rare Blood Moon, the first solar eclipse of 2025 will be visible across Northeast America, with prime viewing opportunities in Canada, Greenland, the United States, and Iceland.

In Canada, the best locations to witness the partial solar eclipse include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, where nearly 90% of the sun will be covered. 

Specifically, the solar horn phenomenon will only be seen between the St. Lawrence River estuary and the Bay of Fundy.

Major cities like Quebec, Saint John, and Halifax will offer excellent views.

Greenland’s western coastal regions—Avannaata, Qeqertalik, and Qeqqata—will also provide impressive vantage points, with around 80% sun coverage. Key locations include Ilulissat, Disko Bay, Qeqqata, and the capital, Nuuk.

Time Out Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for the rare “solar horns” where the cusps of an eclipsed crescent sun will appear as two points above the horizon.

Eclipse
Photograph: Shutterstock / kdshutterman

What time will the solar eclipse happen in Montreal? 

Here is the timing for the total solar eclipse in Montreal:

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 6:39 am

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 6:42 am

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 7:13 am

How long will the solar eclipse last?

The partial solar eclipse will last 34 minutes.

How do I watch the eclipse safely?

The sun’s rays may permanently damage your eyes during an eclipse, so it is important to get adequate glasses to watch it safely.

You can also opt for an indirect observation method by projecting the sun’s image onto a screen.

Eclipse
Photograph: Shutterstock / Lost_in_the_Midwest

Where are the best places to watch the eclipse in Montreal?

Parks, open fields and elevated viewpoints are the way to go as far as optimal locations. 

Opt for an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, like coastal areas and elevated terrain.

A low horizon on land also works if you watch from high up.

How not to watch a solar eclipse?

The sun can burn the retinas in the eyes leading to permanent damage or blindness, even if your eyes are exposed to direct sunlight for just a few seconds.

According to NASA, the following materials should never be used to view a solar eclipse:

Sunglasses 

Colour film

Medical X-ray film

Smoked glass

Floppy disks

What is a partial solar eclipse?

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and Earth, partially covering the sun's disk. 

What are solar horns?

Solar horns are a phenomenon where the eclipsed sun's crescent cusps rise as two distinct points.

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next solar eclipse visible from Canada won't occur until August 12, 2026. 

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