Solar eclipse of March 29: How appear and where to observe the horns of the devil?

Saturday March 29, 2025 around noon, a partial sun eclipse will be visible in France. Its maximum will be accessible to observers around Quimper with 33 % of the sun overshadowed by the Moon, while the inhabitants of the Southeast will only benefit from 15 % on average hidden star.

Certain regions of the globe could nevertheless observe a phenomenon oh so spectacular and freezing. He is named Le Diable horns (Devil Horns, in English) and shows as two red horns shine in the sky. We imagine with vertigo what should generate as stress and beliefs such a celestial appearance to peoples who did not have the scientific knowledge to understand their origin.

There is obviously no more devil than horns in this celestial form, only the solar disc partially obscured by the moon and the horizon or clouds, for example. To obtain this red light, the eclipse must occur at the time of sunrise or sunset. At that time, the rays of our star crossing terrestrial atmospheric layers horizontally, they block short wavelengths, like those that give blue color. The sun then seems red or orange.

It is obviously always possible to observe the horns in broad daylight, therefore without their red color, but it is like the third in disorder: we can do better. Pay attention doubly, however, if you want to immortalize the event, because you should never observe the sun, even overshadowed, in direct light without suitable protections. Otherwise, you are burning your eyes and/or electronics of your camera that could even melt, or even set fire. Only filters that only let 1/100,000 light pass are suitable.

In addition, this phenomenon is very brief. The solar eclipse lasts on average more than an hour, but the moment when the horns are visible is fleeting. So be on the lookout!

Here is where to go see the horns of the devil at sunrise on March 29: in Canada, for example!