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The first solar eclipse for 2022 has begun and here is the view!

This is the moment that observers in the sky have been waiting for: The first solar eclipse of the year has begun.

The partial solar eclipse on April 30 began around 2:45 p.m. EDT (1845 GMT), according to Timeanddate.com, which broadcasts live views from Argentina and Chile. However, the eclipse was first seen over the Southern Ocean off the coast of Antarctica, where few observers in the sky could enjoy the solar eclipse.

The shadow of the moon took about an hour to reach the southern tip of South America and become more accessible to observers of the sky. The broadcast of Timeanddate.com from El Colorado, Chile, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Santiago, showed the first views of the sun with the characteristic missing “bite”, which is clearly visible shortly after 16:30 EDT (2030 GMT). You can watch the eclipse live on Space.com, courtesy of Timeanddate.com.

Related: How to watch the solar eclipse in April 2022 online

Guide to photos of solar eclipses:

The moon shadow and the partial eclipse will continue to travel northeast until they fade in the sunset over South America, ending at 18:37 EDT (2237 GMT).

Before that moment comes, however, the eclipse may offer some more beautiful views. The moment of the biggest eclipse will occur at 16:41 EDT (2041 GMT) over the Southern Ocean. In addition to broadcasts from El Colorado, Timeanddate.com also offers views of Santa Euphemia, Argentina, during the current broadcast.

View of the early stages of a partial solar eclipse on April 30, 2022, as seen from El Colorado outside Santiago, Chile. (Image Credit: TimeandDate.com)

If you miss today’s eclipse or just want more observation of the sky in your life, the next eclipse will be a total lunar eclipse, which begins on May 15; the next solar eclipse will occur on October 25.

You can prepare for the next solar eclipse with our guide on how to shoot a safe solar eclipse. Our guides to the best astrophotography cameras and the best astrophotography lenses can help you find the camera equipment you need to take your own snapshots.

Send Meghan Bartels an email at mbartels@space.com or follow her on Twitter @meghanbartels. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and so on Facebook.