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A total solar eclipse is coming in August. Will you be able to see it?
USA Today • • science
Key Points:
- A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, visible across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, part of Portugal, and the Atlantic Ocean, while the U.S. and parts of Canada will only see a partial eclipse.
- In the U.S., states including Alaska, New York, and North Carolina will witness the partial eclipse, where the sun will appear as if a "bite" has been taken out of it.
- Viewing the partial solar eclipse requires special eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard to prevent eye damage, as looking at the sun directly is unsafe except during totality, which will not be visible in the U.S.
- The night following the eclipse will feature the peak of the Perseid meteor shower during the new moon, providing optimal conditions for meteor viewing.
- Total solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months, with the last one having taken place on April 8, 2024.
