A partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, will be visible across North America, with Maine residents able to witness up to 23.6% of the sun obscured by the moon, according to University of Maine experts. Safety guidelines emphasize certified eclipse glasses and indirect viewing methods to prevent eye damage.
The partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, will offer a rare celestial spectacle for observers across North America, though the moon will only partially block the sun. In Maine, the event will peak at 1:53 p.m. with 23.6% of the sun covered, according to Shawn Laatsch of the University of Maine’s Versant Power Astronomy Center. The timings for viewing the maximum across the state will be within a minute or two of each other,
Laatsch said, noting that northern areas like Caribou will see 25% coverage, while Portland residents will witness 21%.
Timing and Coverage Across North America
The eclipse will be visible throughout North America, with peak times varying by region. In Anchorage, Alaska, it will peak at 8:21 a.m. ET, while Washington, D.C., sees its maximum at 1:53 p.m. ET, according to Mashable. The next total solar eclipse visible in Maine is scheduled for May 1, 2079, with the next partial eclipse occurring in 2045.
For Canadians, the event coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, described by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as the best meteor shower of the year.
Pierre Langlois, manager for the space astronomy and planetary science missions at the CSA, noted that the further you are from big cities, the best chance you have
of viewing the shower. However, the partial solar eclipse will be most visible in Newfoundland and Labrador, which will receive the clearest view despite not being in the path of totality.
Safety Guidelines for Viewing
Eye protection is critical during the eclipse. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that the sun may appear dimmer during the event, increasing the risk of direct exposure. You should never look directly at the sun for more than a second or two without protection,
Laatsch emphasized, adding that regular sunglasses are unsafe.
The Versant Power Astronomy Center will offer free public viewing at the Historic Clark Telescope Observatory, where attendees can use magnified telescopes to spot sunspots. Laatsch noted that because the telescope gives you a magnified view, you’ll probably see some sun spots.
For those without telescopes, indirect methods like pinhole projectors or viewing the sun’s image through tree leaves are recommended.
Historical Context and Public Preparedness
Historical precedents underscore the importance of caution. Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported about 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems, with 40% of those people having looked at it for less than a minute. The UKHSA reiterated that even brief unprotected exposure can cause permanent damage.
People with any interest in astronomy will enjoy seeing this partial solar eclipse, especially if they can’t travel across the world to see the total solar eclipse,
Laatsch said, highlighting the event’s significance for amateur astronomers.
For those missing the event, the next partial solar eclipse in Maine will not occur until 2045, with a total eclipse scheduled for 2079.
Worth a look
