Total Solar Eclipse Graces Northern Hemisphere, Partial Views for U.S.

A total solar eclipse traversed the Northern Hemisphere on August 12, 2026, offering a spectacular celestial display for millions. The path of totality stretched across Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and parts of Russia. Skywatchers in the United States witnessed a partial solar eclipse during the event.

For those in the path of totality, the moon completely obscured the sun for a brief period, darkening the daytime sky. The phenomenon occurred when the moon passed between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow that blocked the sun's light. This event differs from a partial eclipse, where only a portion of the sun is hidden.

In the United States, parts of the northern U.S. experienced a partial eclipse, with visibility extending from Alaska to North Carolina. The extent of the eclipse and its timing varied by location. In Anchorage, Alaska, the partial eclipse began at 7:36 a.m. local time, reaching its peak coverage of about 28% at 8:21 a.m. New York City saw the eclipse begin at 1:07 p.m. and peak at 1:54 p.m., with approximately 9% of the sun covered.

Cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Detroit, Portland, and Bangor, Maine, also observed the partial solar eclipse.

Safety is paramount when viewing solar eclipses. NASA strongly recommends using certified solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for any partial eclipse viewing. Standard sunglasses are not sufficient for safe observation.

The only time it is safe to view the sun directly without protective eyewear is during the brief period of totality when the moon fully covers the sun. As the eclipse was partial across the U.S., wearing certified glasses was necessary for all viewers in the country.

The last total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. occurred on April 8, 2024, with its path of totality crossing 15 states from Texas to Maine. The next total solar eclipse visible from any part of the United States is scheduled for March 30, 2033, primarily in Alaska. Following that, the contiguous U.S. will experience a total solar eclipse on August 23, 2044, with another coast-to-coast event on August 12, 2045.