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August 2026 Total Solar Eclipse: Will YOU Be in the Path of Totality?
Get Ready for the 2026 Solar Eclipse: A Super Simple Guide
Published: July 12, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET
Imagine the Sun is a giant flashlight, the Earth is your backyard, and the Moon is a small ball that sometimes rolls right in front of the light. That’s basically what a solar eclipse is! Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming eclipse, explained really simply.
When and Where Is the Eclipse Happening?
A total solar eclipse is set to happen on August 12, 2026, at around 11:34 a.m. ET.
- Total eclipse viewers: If you want to see the Sun completely covered, you would need to be in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, a part of Portugal, or out in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Partial eclipse viewers: If you live in the U.S. (from Alaska down to North Carolina), Canada, Europe, or northwestern Africa, you will see a partial eclipse from your hometown!
- Fun bonus: The night after the eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower will peak during the new moon (when the sky is darkest). NASA calls this the "best meteor shower of the year," so it’s a double space treat!
Important Fact: A total solar eclipse only happens about once every 18 months somewhere on Earth. The last one was on April 8, 2024.
What Is a Total vs. Partial Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon scoots between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on our planet that blocks the Sun’s face.
- Total Solar Eclipse: The Sun is 100% blocked by the Moon. This is called the "period of totality." The sky gets dark like nighttime, and you can safely take off your special glasses to look at the Moon covering the Sun. But this only happens in a very narrow strip of land called the "path of totality."
- Partial Solar Eclipse: Only a piece of the Sun is covered. From the U.S., it will look like someone took a tiny "bite" out of the Sun. Because the U.S. is not in the path of totality, Americans will only see this partial version.
Important: During a partial eclipse, the Sun is NOT completely blocked. You MUST wear special glasses the whole time you look at it. Never look at the partial Sun with your bare eyes!
Which US States Will See the Partial Eclipse?
According to USA TODAY and National Eclipse (a group that shares eclipse info), if you live in one of these 25 states, you’ll be able to peek at the "bite" taken out of the Sun on Aug. 12:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Do You Need Special Equipment?
Yes! Think of regular sunglasses as a flimsy paper shield—they don’t block enough sun. You need eclipse glasses (or handheld solar viewers).
NASA says these glasses must follow a safety rule called the ISO 12312-2 international standard. But beware: just because a package says it meets the standard doesn’t mean it really does, unless a proper lab tested it (according to the American Astronomical Society).
How to Test Your Eclipse Glasses (Step-by-Step)
Before you use your glasses, the American Astronomical Society suggests these 3 simple tests:
- Indoor test: Put the glasses on inside your house. You should only be able to see very bright lights, and nothing else.
- Outdoor reflection test: Go outside on a sunny day (but DON’T look at the Sun yet). You should only see the Sun’s reflection bouncing off things like cars or windows—nothing else.
- Quick Sun glance test: Finally, look at the Sun for less than a second while wearing them. It should look "comfortably bright" with a dark background around it.
If your glasses pass all three tests, they are safe! If they fail any test or are scratched or damaged, throw them away and don’t use them.
Critical Safety Callout: The only time it is safe to look at a solar eclipse without glasses is during totality—and the U.S. won’t experience totality in 2026. So Americans must wear their eclipse glasses the entire time!
Summary
The 2026 solar eclipse is happening on August 12. While only folks in places like Greenland and Spain will see the total blackout of the Sun, most of the U.S. (25 states) and other parts of the world will see a partial "bite" taken out of the Sun. Since we only get a partial view, everyone must use certified, tested eclipse glasses to protect their eyes. And don’t forget to look up the next night for the amazing Perseid meteor shower!
Reporting based on original coverage by Julia Gomez and Saleen Martin for USA TODAY.
FAQ
1. What is a solar eclipse in kid terms?
It’s when the Moon plays hide-and-seek with the Sun and moves right in front of it, casting a shadow on Earth so the Sun looks blocked from our view.
2. Can I use my regular sunglasses to watch the eclipse?
No! Regular sunglasses don’t protect your eyes enough. You need special "eclipse glasses" that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
3. Will the sky go dark in the United States during the 2026 eclipse?
No, because the U.S. is only getting a partial eclipse. The sky only goes dark during a "total" eclipse, which will happen in places like Iceland and Spain.
4. What is the Perseid meteor shower mentioned in the article?
It’s a bunch of "shooting stars" that happens every year. In 2026, it peaks the night after the eclipse during a new moon, making it the perfect dark sky to see them. NASA thinks it’s the best meteor shower of the year!
5. How often does a total solar eclipse happen?
About once every 18 months somewhere on Earth. The last one before this 2026 event was in April 2024.
