Partial Solar Eclipse Aug 12: Where and How to Watch in the U.S. and Canada

Millions of skywatchers across parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, according to NASA. While the celestial event will not deliver the total daytime darkness witnessed during the April 2024 eclipse, it marks a significant alignment ahead of an even rarer total solar eclipse projected for 2027.

Where to View the Partial Solar Eclipse in North America

Viewers located across portions of the East Coast, the Midwest, and Alaska will see the moon partially obscure the sun. According to USA Today reporting, residents in 27 states and Washington, D.C., have a chance to catch at least part of the event, provided weather conditions cooperate. The visibility zone includes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

NASA states that the eclipse begins around 11:34 a.m. ET and reaches its peak at 1:46 p.m. ET. Unlike a total eclipse, the sky will not turn dark, and stars will not suddenly emerge in midday. However, observers in parts of the East Coast and Alaska will notice a distinct dimming of daylight as the moon blocks a portion of the solar disk.

International Preparations and Total Eclipse Zones

While North America experiences a partial obstruction, parts of Europe, Greenland, and Iceland will witness a total solar eclipse. Spain is currently rolling out a public safety campaign in preparation for the influx of millions of visitors expected to travel to viewing areas where totality will be visible, according to international coverage.

Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth roughly once every 18 months. This week’s event serves as a precursor to a much more dramatic alignment scheduled for August 2, 2027. NASA has designated the 2027 event as the “Eclipse of the Century,” noting that its totality will last up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds at peak, making it one of the longest total solar eclipses visible globally in decades.

Safety Guidelines for Viewing the Sun

Looking directly at the sun during a partial solar eclipse can cause permanent eye damage. NASA strongly recommends using certified solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that comply with international safety standards. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection for observing an unfiltered solar event.

For individuals without access to certified solar glasses, indirect viewing methods offer a safe alternative. A pinhole projector can be constructed using basic household materials such as cardboard and aluminum foil, allowing observers to safely project an image of the sun onto a nearby surface.