Partial Solar Eclipse 2026: How to Watch the Rare Eclipse Across the South
Skywatchers are turning their attention to the heavens as the partial solar eclipse 2026 unfolds on Wednesday, August 12, bringing a rare celestial display to parts of the United States and other areas across the Northern Hemisphere.
The event is actually a total solar eclipse, but only a partial eclipse is visible from the United States. The path of totality crosses parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain and the Atlantic, while portions of North America will see the Moon cover only part of the Sun.
For viewers in the southern United States who are able to see the eclipse, the Moon will appear to move across the face of the Sun, creating a noticeable crescent-shaped appearance.
The exact amount of the Sun covered depends on location. The farther a viewer is from the path of totality, the smaller the portion of the Sun that will be obscured.
When is the solar eclipse?
The eclipse is taking place on August 12, 2026.
Across the United States, the event is classified as a partial solar eclipse. The timing varies significantly depending on where a person is located, with the eclipse beginning in some areas in the morning and ending in the afternoon. Timeanddate lists the U.S. partial-eclipse period as beginning in Alaska in the morning and continuing through parts of the country into the afternoon. (Time and Date)
Because local circumstances vary, viewers should check an eclipse timetable for their specific city rather than relying on a single national viewing time.
What will viewers see?
Unlike the dramatic totality experienced during the April 2024 solar eclipse across parts of the United States, most American viewers in 2026 will see only a portion of the Sun covered.
During a partial eclipse, the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun but does not completely cover the solar disk from the viewer’s location.
The result can look like a dark bite being taken from the Sun.
The event is particularly spectacular closer to the path of totality. In northern Spain, for example, observers will experience totality, while parts of Europe will see a very deep partial eclipse.
How to safely watch the eclipse
The most important rule for anyone watching the partial solar eclipse 2026 is simple: never look directly at the Sun without proper solar eye protection.
NASA recommends using certified eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer when viewing a partial eclipse directly. Ordinary sunglasses, regardless of how dark they appear, are not sufficient protection. (NASA Science)
Eclipse glasses should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
The same caution applies when using cameras, binoculars or telescopes. Looking at the Sun through optical equipment without an appropriate solar filter can cause severe eye injury.
A safer alternative is indirect viewing, such as projecting an image of the Sun through a pinhole projector.
Why this eclipse is significant
The August 12 eclipse is the only total solar eclipse of 2026.
Its path stretches across a large portion of the Northern Hemisphere, beginning in the Arctic and moving through Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Northern Spain is expected to be one of the most accessible locations for experiencing totality.
For people in the United States, however, the event will be considerably less dramatic.
Even so, astronomers say partial eclipses remain worthwhile events because they provide an opportunity to observe the interaction between the Moon and Sun from Earth.
The eclipse is also occurring around the time of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Once darkness arrives, skywatchers in locations with clear skies may have another reason to look upward. (CBS News)
Weather could determine visibility
Even with perfect eclipse timing, clouds can prevent viewers from seeing the event.
Weather conditions therefore remain one of the biggest factors for people hoping to watch the eclipse. A location with an unobstructed view of the sky and favorable weather will provide a much better experience than an area covered by thick clouds.
Those planning to photograph the event should also make sure their equipment is properly protected.
A standard camera lens or smartphone should not be pointed directly at the Sun without appropriate solar protection.
A rare opportunity for skywatchers
The partial solar eclipse 2026 gives millions of people an opportunity to witness one of nature’s most recognizable astronomical events.
Although totality will not cross the southern United States, viewers in areas where the partial eclipse is visible can still watch the Moon gradually cover part of the Sun before moving away again.
The spectacle will last only a limited time, making preparation important.
Anyone planning to watch should determine the local start, maximum and end times in advance, find a clear viewing location and obtain certified eclipse glasses.
For those unable to see the eclipse because of weather or location, live online coverage is also available from astronomy organizations and observatories. The Royal Observatory Greenwich, for example, is providing live coverage of the eclipse. (Royal Museums Greenwich)
The celestial event serves as another reminder that some of the most spectacular sights in the sky can happen without warning—and that sometimes all it takes to witness one is a clear sky, proper eye protection and a few minutes to look upward.
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