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St. Lawrence River, Quebec – In a rare and breathtaking celestial display, the skies over Quebec lit up with a phenomenon that left early risers in awe — a stunning double sunrise illusion caused by a partial solar eclipse. Captured by local photographer Jason Kurth, the surreal sight quickly went viral, captivating stargazers and nature lovers around the globe.
At dawn on March 29, as the sun began to rise over the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River, the partial solar eclipse aligned in such a way that it created the illusion of two suns breaching the horizon. For a few precious minutes, the sun, partially obscured by the moon, appeared to duplicate itself — one blazing orb glowing behind the silhouette of the moon, and another peeking out from beneath it.
Kurth, who had been monitoring eclipse forecasts, was prepared with his camera positioned on the riverbank. What he didn’t anticipate was the otherworldly visual twist nature had in store.
“I was expecting something beautiful,” Kurth said. “But when I looked through the lens and saw what looked like two suns rising together, I was stunned. It felt like watching something from a dream — or another planet.”
Astronomers explain that while partial solar eclipses are relatively common, this optical illusion was made possible by a perfect storm of atmospheric conditions. River
Light refraction over the river’s icy surface, combined with the eclipse’s angle and timing, enhanced the separation of the sun’s crescent shape and its refracted image, creating the doubled effect.
“This kind of illusion is extremely rare,” said Dr. Émilie Moreau, an astrophysicist at Université Laval. “It requires precise alignment and environmental factors. It’s not something you’ll likely see again in your lifetime — especially with such clarity.”
The event serves as a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictability and splendor. Social media lit up with shares of Kurth’s photo, and local tourism boards even reported a spike in interest from eclipse chasers hoping to catch future sky shows along the St. Lawrence.
As eclipse season continues in 2025, many are looking skyward with renewed wonder — hoping to witness the next magical moment where science meets surreal beauty.
