On August 12, the moon once again steps briefly before the sun, offering residents across the northern United States a partial solar eclipse — a quiet celestial reminder that the cosmos moves on its own schedule, indifferent to human calendars. From Alaska, where nearly 40 percent of the sun will be obscured, to the barely-there 3 percent visible in Detroit, the experience will vary widely by place and moment. While totality graces Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Europe, Americans are invited into a more modest encounter — one that still asks us to pause, look up, and remember our place benea
Partial Solar Eclipse Visible Across Northern U.S. on Aug. 12
The moon will only nibble at the sun's edge
Mark
Why does this eclipse matter so much less than the one in 2024?
Mimi
That one was total—the moon completely blocked the sun for millions of people. This time, the moon only partially covers the sun from most U.S. locations. It's the difference between a full meal and a taste.
Mark
So people in Alaska are getting the better deal here?
Mimi
Significantly better. Fairbanks will see 37 percent of the sun covered. Compare that to Detroit, which gets 3 percent. The farther north you are, the more the moon takes.
Mark
What's the actual danger if someone just glances at it without glasses?
Mimi
The sun's rays can burn the retina permanently. Even a partial eclipse is still the sun—the moon just isn't blocking enough of it to make it safe. That's why NASA is so emphatic about the eyewear.
Mark
Is wildfire smoke actually going to ruin it for people in Spain?
Mimi
It could significantly. Spain and southern France are dealing with smoke from fires to the south. On a day when you're already looking at a narrow window of visibility, smoke becomes a real problem.
Mark
When's the next time Americans get another shot at this?
Mimi
August 2027, but only Maine will see a partial eclipse. If you want totality again in the U.S., you're looking at a much longer wait. That's why even a partial eclipse draws attention.
The Pulse
- The moon will cover anywhere from 3 to 37 percent of the sun depending on where you stand, making geography the deciding factor in how dramatic the moment feels.
- Alaska leads the U.S. experience with peak coverage in the morning, while eastern states must wait until just before 2 p.m. ET — a rolling celestial event that rewards those who plan ahead.
- The sun's rays remain dangerous even when partially blocked, and NASA is urging all viewers to use certified eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors to avoid permanent eye damage.
- Wildfire smoke threatens to steal the show for observers in Spain and southern France, where totality was otherwise set to arrive dramatically just before sunset.
- For Americans hoping for more, the calendar offers little comfort — the next partial eclipse visible in the U.S. arrives in 2027, limited to Maine, and a domestic total eclipse remains years beyond that.
On August 12, the moon once again steps briefly before the sun, offering residents across the northern United States a partial solar eclipse — a quiet celestial reminder that the cosmos moves on its own schedule, indifferent to human calendars. From Alaska, where nearly 40 percent of the sun will be obscured, to the barely-there 3 percent visible in Detroit, the experience will vary widely by place and moment. While totality graces Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Europe, Americans are invited into a more modest encounter — one that still asks us to pause, look up, and remember our place beneath a very large sky.
On Wednesday, August 12, the moon will pass in front of the sun across much of the northern United States — not with the dramatic totality that darkened skies in April 2024, but as a quieter, partial event that still rewards those who know when and where to look.
The experience will vary sharply by location. Alaska offers the most compelling view, with Fairbanks seeing 37 percent of the sun obscured during the morning hours and Juneau catching a more modest 17 percent. Moving south and east, the coverage fades. Bangor, Maine will see 24 percent coverage just before 1 p.m. local time, while Detroit, near the southern edge of visibility, will notice only a 3 percent nibble beginning after 1 p.m. For most of the eastern U.S., peak viewing falls just before 2 p.m. Eastern Time. NASA will stream the event live beginning at 1:15 p.m. ET.
Elsewhere in the world, the eclipse tells a grander story. Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a sliver of Portugal will experience totality — the sun completely swallowed by the moon's shadow. Spain's totality arrives just before sunset, though drifting wildfire smoke may dim the spectacle for observers there and in southern France.
Safety remains essential. Because the sun is never fully blocked from U.S. vantage points, unprotected viewing risks permanent eye damage. NASA recommends certified solar eclipse glasses, handheld solar viewers, or a homemade pinhole projector.
For those who miss it or want more, patience will be required. A partial eclipse returns to parts of Maine in 2027, but a total eclipse on American soil lies considerably further down the road — making this modest August moment worth stepping outside for.
On Wednesday, August 12, the moon will slide in front of the sun across much of the northern United States, though the show will be a modest one compared to the total eclipse that crossed the country two years earlier. Unlike that April 2024 event, which turned day into darkness for millions, this eclipse will only nibble at the sun's edge—a partial event that will still draw sky-watchers to their windows and yards, binoculars in hand, if they know where and when to look.
The viewing experience will depend almost entirely on geography. Residents of Alaska will have the best seats in the continental U.S., with the eclipse beginning in the morning hours. In Fairbanks, the moon will cover 37 percent of the sun, while those in Juneau will see a more modest 17 percent obscured. As the eclipse moves south and east, the coverage shrinks. By the time it reaches the lower 48 states, the effect becomes almost subtle. In Bangor, Maine, the moon will take a 24 percent bite, with the event starting just before 1 p.m. local time. Detroit, near the southern edge of the viewing zone, will barely notice—just 3 percent coverage beginning after 1 p.m.
The eclipse will be visible across a broad swath of the country, from Alaska down through the northern tier of states and into North Carolina, though the farther south you travel, the less there will be to see. Most Americans who want to witness it should plan to look up in the early afternoon, with peak viewing times in the eastern U.S. occurring just before 2 p.m. Eastern Time. NASA will broadcast the event live starting at 1:15 p.m. ET for those unable or unwilling to step outside.
While the northern U.S. gets a partial eclipse, other parts of the world will experience the real thing. Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a corner of Portugal will see totality—the moon completely blocking the sun. In Greenland and Iceland, this will happen in the late afternoon or early evening. Spain will see totality just before sunset, though forecasters warn that wildfire smoke drifting north from southern regions may obscure the view for observers there and in southern France.
For those planning to watch, safety is non-negotiable. The moon will not completely block the sun from most U.S. vantage points, meaning the sun's rays will still pose a serious threat to unprotected eyes. NASA recommends using specially filtered solar eclipse glasses, a handheld solar viewer designed for the purpose, or a pinhole projector—a simple device that can be made at home using basic materials. Casual glances without protection risk permanent eye damage.
This eclipse arrives as a reminder that such events, while regular in cosmic terms, remain rare enough to merit attention. The next opportunity for Americans to see a solar eclipse will come on August 2, 2027, when another partial eclipse will be visible only in parts of Maine. For those seeking a total eclipse on U.S. soil, the wait will be considerably longer. For now, those in the northern U.S. with clear skies and proper eyewear will have a brief window to witness the moon's shadow cross the sun—a small but genuine piece of celestial theater.
Notable Quotes
The northern U.S. and southern Canada will get to see the moon take a small bite out of the sun— NASA
Wildfire smoke may hamper viewing of the eclipse in Spain and southern France— AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alan Reppert
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