Stargazers across parts of North America, Canada, and Europe will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. While the moon will not completely block the sun for viewers in the United States, space agencies and astronomy experts emphasize that proper eye protection remains mandatory.
Where and When to Catch the Partial Eclipse From North America
The celestial event takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 12, bringing a celestial alignment across the Northern Hemisphere. While a total solar eclipse sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal, North American observers will experience a partial phase.
People hoping to watch from the United States and southern Canada will see a small “bite” taken out of the solar disk as the moon clips the sun. The visibility path stretches from Alaska to North Carolina, covering most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa.
Timing varies by location across the mainland and northern regions. According to NASA, maximum coverage will occur in Anchorage at 8:21 a.m. local time, while mainland cities hit their peak near midday. Observers in Bangor, Maine, will see the maximum at 1:53 p.m.; Boston at 1:55 p.m.; Detroit at 1:36 p.m.; New York City at 1:54 p.m.; and Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., at 1:53 p.m.
Safety Protocols and Eye Protection Requirements
Because the moon never completely blocks the sun outside the narrow path of totality, looking directly at the sun remains unsafe without proper gear. Regular sunglasses provide no protection, regardless of how dark their lenses appear.
Astronomers and safety officials advise that safe eclipse glasses must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Buyers should verify approved manufacturers through the American Astronomical Society and carefully inspect delicate eyewear for punctures, scratches, or tears before use.
Furthermore, experts warn against looking at the sun through a camera, telescope, or binoculars while wearing eclipse glasses, as uncertified optical devices can concentrate solar rays and burn through the filter to cause serious eye injury. Viewers lacking specialized eyewear can rely on indirect viewing methods, such as a pinhole projector to cast an image of the sun onto a nearby surface.
Online Coverage and the Path Toward 2027
For viewers outside the path of totality, or those whose local skies are obscured by clouds, space agencies offer alternative viewing options. NASA plans to provide live streams starting at 1:15 p.m. ET at nasa.gov/live, featuring views from locations along the eclipse track alongside commentary from scientists and eclipse experts.
While this week’s partial event offers a brief celestial alignment for North American and European observers, astronomers are already looking ahead to an exceptionally long total solar eclipse scheduled for August 2, 2027. That future event will yield nearly three times more observation time, with totality lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds as it crosses the southern tip of Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East.
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