Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Partial Solar Eclipse Visible Across Northern U.S. and Canada Wednesday
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves in front of the Sun and blocks its light.
On Wednesday, people in some parts of the United States and Canada will see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers only a piece of the Sun.
It will look like something is taking a bite out of the Sun.
In Europe, people in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal will see the Sun fully disappear for a little while.
This is the first total solar eclipse in continental Europe since 1999.
The darkness won't last long, only a couple of minutes at most.
Spain will get a much longer turn next August, along with North Africa and the Middle East.
The United States won't see another coast-to-coast total eclipse until 2045.
You should never look directly at the Sun, so wear special certified eclipse glasses if you watch.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible Wednesday across far northern parts of the U.S. and Canada, weather permitting.
Totality will begin near the North Pole and streak southward across Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a patch of Portugal.
It is continental Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999, though daytime darkness will last only a couple of minutes at best.
Spain will get a much longer shot at totality next August, along with North Africa and the Middle East.
The next coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in the U.S. won't occur until 2045, and viewers must wear certified eclipse glasses.
- Who
- Skywatchers in far northern parts of the U.S. and Canada, as well as people in Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal
- What
- A solar eclipse — partial across northern North America and total along a path from the North Pole through parts of Europe
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Totality path: near the North Pole, then Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a patch of Portugal; partial coverage in cities like Anchorage, Bangor, New York City, Toronto and St. Johns
- Why
- The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight
- Eclipse type
- Partial in northern North America; total over parts of Europe
- Viewing date
- Wednesday
- Totality path
- North Pole, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a patch of Portugal
- Maximum totality duration
- A couple of minutes at best
- Europe's previous total eclipse
- 1999
- Next Spain totality
- Next August, along with North Africa and the Middle East
- Next U.S. coast-to-coast total eclipse
- 2045
- Eye safety
- Certified eclipse glasses required