11 July 2029: a tiny partial eclipse over Patagonia and Antarctica

Around midday on 11 July 2029, the Moon covers a thin edge of the Sun as seen from the far south of South America and Antarctica. At most about 13% of the Sun is covered anywhere on Earth, over the Southern Ocean.

The smallest eclipse of 2029

Of the four solar eclipses in 2029, this one is the smallest, with at most 13% of the Sun covered. The centre of the Moon’s shadow passes about 2,700 km below the Earth, south of the South Pole. Only its fringe touches Tierra del Fuego, southern Patagonia, the Falkland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Seen through eclipse glasses, the Sun has a thin dark notch on its lower edge. July is midwinter in Patagonia, and in Ushuaia the Sun stands only about 12 degrees up at the peak, so a clear view to the north matters more than usual.

Times in Patagonia and Antarctica

Where to catch the July 2029 eclipse

• Punta Arenas, Puerto Williams and Ushuaia About 8 to 9% of the Sun, around midday. Winter weather on the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel is changeable, so check the sky in the morning.
• Antarctic Peninsula About 8% at the research stations on King George Island, with the Sun only a few degrees above the horizon.
• Falkland Islands About 4% in Stanley.

The end of an eclipse season

Coming last of three eclipses in a month, the 11 July eclipse follows the Arctic partial eclipse of 12 June and the total lunar eclipse of 26 June. By 11 July the new Moon has moved farther from the point where its orbit crosses the Sun’s path, so it covers less of the Sun.

Patagonia sees a much deeper eclipse two years earlier. On 6 February 2027 an annular eclipse crosses southern Chile and Argentina, from Esquel in Chubut to the coast at Mar del Plata, where the ring lasts about seven and a half minutes.

A small eclipse still needs proper eclipse glasses: the part of the Sun left uncovered can damage your eyes as quickly as on a normal day.