A partial solar eclipse will sweep across parts of the United States on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, giving sky watchers in the northern US a chance to see the Moon pass across the face of the Sun. While the most dramatic total eclipse will be visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal, the US will remain outside the path of totality. Instead, Americans in parts of the country will see the Moon block only a portion of the Sun.
The eclipse will unfold at different times depending on the location, with Alaska and northern parts of the US among the areas that can watch the celestial event. How much of the Sun disappears behind the Moon will vary significantly by location. In New York, for instance, only about 10% of the Sun will be covered, according to CNN.
The northern United States will be able to see the partial solar eclipse, according to NASA and information cited by CNN.
Alaska will also experience the eclipse, with the event occurring during the morning there.
Across the northern US, the eclipse will take place during the afternoon. The farther north a viewer is, the greater the portion of the Sun that will be covered.
People in the southern parts of the country will have little or no view of the eclipse, depending on their exact location.
The amount of the Sun obscured by the Moon will depend on where you are.
For example, New York will see only about 10% of the Sun covered, according to CNN.
The eclipse will be considerably more pronounced farther north, while locations outside the eclipse's visibility zone will not see the event.
The key point for US viewers is that this will be a partial eclipse, not a total solar eclipse.
The timing will differ across the country.
Viewers should check the eclipse timing for their specific city before heading outside, as the start, maximum and end times will vary by location.
The August 12 eclipse will be visible across parts of the US, Canada, Europe and Africa, while totality will be limited to a narrower path including Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal.
Asmi is a digital content producer covering international affairs, technology, business, and trending news. She writes and edits digital-first stories with a focus on delivering timely, accurate, and engaging coverage for online audiences. She produces news across a wide range of topics, combining strong editorial judgment with audience insights to make complex developments accessible and relevant. Her work includes breaking news, explainers, and feature stories, with an emphasis on clarity, verification, and speed in a fast-paced digital newsroom. She is particularly interested in global politics, emerging technologies, media, and internet culture, and enjoys translating complex developments into reader-friendly stories. Asmi holds a master's degree in English and has a strong foundation in research, editing, and digital publishing. Her published work reflects a commitment to factual reporting, accessible storytelling, and audience-centric journalism. She continues to explore evolving trends in digital news and multimedia storytelling while contributing to coverage that informs and engages readers.Read More
