What time is the total solar eclipse on Dec. 4?

Update for Dec. 4, 2021: The total solar eclipse of Dec. 4 has ended over Antarctica. You can see a video above and see photos and our full wrap story here.


If you're ready to catch the only total solar eclipse of 2021 on Saturday (Dec. 4), you likely are either a research scientist, a well-heeled tourist or a penguin.

That's because the prime location for the total phase is in Antarctica, although there may be a livestream available. The partial phase starts at 2 a.m. EST (0700 GMT), the nearly two-minute totality phase — when the moon completely blocks out the sun — starts at 2:33 a.m. EST (0733 GMT), and the whole eclipse ends at 3:06 a.m. (0806 GMT)according to NASA

If you can't make it there in person, weather permitting, NASA plans to broadcast the total solar eclipse from Union Glacier, Antarctica on YouTube and nasa.gov/live. The stream starts at 1:30 a.m. EST (0630 GMT), totality begins at 2:44 a.m. EST (0744 GMT) and the stream ends at 3:37 a.m. EST (0837 GMT).

If you live in the a region where the solar eclipse may be visible, here's our guide on how to photograph a solar eclipse safely. Check out our guide for the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography to prepare for the next solar eclipse.

Related: Total solar eclipse 2021: When, where and how to see it on Dec. 4

Antarctica happened to be the region best positioned this time for the solar eclipse, as the new moon passes across the sun and throws a very small shadow on the face of the Earth. 

Some of the luckiest humans to see the total eclipse include the estimated summertime population of 40 at the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Palmer Station, or tourists who caught scheduled eclipse flights at a price of thousands of dollars a seat.

The partial phase of the eclipse will be visible from the southernmost regions within Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa, according to an interactive map from Time and Date.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Timetable for the solar eclipse on Dec. 4 (All times local)
LocationPartial eclipse beginsMaximum eclipsePartial eclipse ends% of sun covered
Palmer Station, Antarctica3:34 a.m.4:23 a.m.5:12 a.m.94%
Emperor Point, Antarctica3:42 a.m.4:35 a.m.5:28 a.m.100%
Melbourne, Australia7:53 p.m.8:12 p.m.below the horizon2%
Cape Town, South Africa7:42 a.m.8:19 a.m.8:58 a.m.12%
Cabo Kempe, Argentinabelow the horizon4:42 a.m.4:59 a.m.25%

If you happen to be within reach of the eclipse, either partial or total, make sure to use precautions to safely observe the sun. You will need special protective eyewear or certified eclipse glasses. Eyeglasses will not protect you, even with UV protection. The safest way to observe an eclipse is indirectly, using a pinhole camera that you can make easily at home. 

If you can't catch this eclipse in person or online, your next opportunity is April 20, 2023. That total eclipse will pass over southern and eastern Asia, according to NASA's eclipse site.

A NASA map of the path the total solar eclipse of Dec. 4, 2021 will take across Antarctica. (Image credit: Fred Espenak/NASA)

Editor's Note: If you snap an amazing solar eclipse photo and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

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Elizabeth Howell
Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace