When was the last total solar eclipse in the United States? How often do they happen?

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

You aren’t likely to have forgotten the last total solar eclipse to pass over the U.S. – it caused quite a stir in 2024, even closing schools and jamming roadways. Today’s eclipse won’t be nearly as spectacular for non-European viewers (the rest of us only get a partial view), but we in the States have certainly had our fair share of opportunities in the past.

The first formally recorded total solar eclipse viewed in the United States happened just after its founding in 1778, according to NASA. It was observed and even written about by founding fathers, who were able to sight it in New England.

About 10 more were seen between then and the new millennium, the last of which took place on Feb. 26, 1979.

Only two total solar eclipses have been viewable by Americans since the turn of the 21st century: one on Aug. 21, 2017, and the most recent one on April 8, 2024.

Partial solar eclipse won’t compare to April 2024 event

Eric Lagatta

Today’s partial solar eclipse won’t be anything like the event that in 2024 stunned tens of millions of Americans.

On April 8 that year, the first total solar eclipse visible since 2017 in North America charted a 115-mile-wide path across Mexico, the United States and maritime provinces of Canada. In the U.S., that area where the moon completely blotted out the sun’s disk stretched from the bottom of Texas all the way to the tip of Maine.

Spectators in the path of totality witnessed a stunning sight as the Earth, sun and moon perfectly aligned for a few minutes.

The process not only ushered in uncharacteristic darkness, but unveiled the outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona. Strange darkness blanketed a large swath of the U.S., animals fell silent, and a spectacular glowing ring appeared in the sky where the sun should have been.

Instead of darkening the sky and unveiling the sun’s signature circular ring, the upcoming partial solar eclipse due to be visible in the U.S. means the moon will only partly cover the sun, giving it a crescent shape, according to NASA. The sight will resemble someone taking a bite out of the sun.

Annular vs total solar eclipse: What’s the difference?

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Any celestial object like a moon or a planet that passes between two other bodies can create an eclipse by obscuring the view of objects like the sun.

In the event of a solar eclipse, the moon comes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking its light from reaching a small part of our planet. Partial eclipses, when some part of the sun remains visible, are the most common, making total eclipses a rare sight to behold.

Total eclipses can lead to a period of darkness lasting for several minutes, during which time nocturnal animals stir while confused birds and insects may fall silent, NASA says.

When a solar eclipse reaches totality, people are able to see the sun’s outer atmosphere called the corona, which is usually obscured by the sun’s bright surface. This offers scientists an uncommon opportunity to study the corona.

Totality also offers spectators a chance to gaze upon the spectacular sight with the naked eye, though proper safety glasses are still required for the rest of the time.

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, covering only part of the sun’s disk and creating the appearance of a ring of light outlining the moon’s silhouette, according to the Planetary Society. This thin line surrounding the moon is called an “annulus.”

Annular solar eclipses happen when the moon is at the farthest point from Earth in its orbit, which creates the moon’s slightly smaller appearance from Earth’s perspective.

Will Earth ‘lose gravity’ on Wednesday?

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Rumors of another supposed celestial event have some people believing something much stranger than an eclipse is happening on Wednesday.

The viral conspiracy theory, known as “Project Anchor,” claims the planet will somehow lose gravity on Aug. 12, 2026, causing the people and objects on its surface to float in the air for about seven seconds before crashing back to Earth.

As NASA has already clarified, this conspiracy is just that – a conspiracy. A NASA spokesperson told fact-checkers that while an eclipse is happening on Aug. 12, it will have no effect on Earth’s gravity, per northjersey.com, part of the USA TODAY network. Earth’s gravity is determined by the planet’s mass, the spokesperson said, and cannot simply switch off or change.

Plus, the most widely accepted theory said it would have happened around 9:33 a.m. ET, a time that has come and gone with no disruptions to Earth’s surface. There is no evidence to support the claim and no scientific basis on which it could happen. One less thing to worry about when planning your eclipse viewing.

How to get a good photo of the partial solar eclipse

Melina Khan

Those looking to catch a glimpse of the partial solar eclipse may also be looking to capture the moment on camera.

Justin Patricolo, a photographer at MPB, and Timothy McCarty, a photographer who runs the website zoomwithourfeet.com, both shared tips with USA TODAY for taking eclipse photos:

• Protect eyes and camera gear
  • Because the moon does not completely block the sun during a partial solar eclipse, anyone taking photos of the eclipse should ensure they have a solar filter to protect their camera sensor.
• Make sure your camera is stable
  • Using a tripod or phone holder is the best way to keep your camera stable, because even slight movement equals blur.
  • “Given the distance, your phone or camera must be rock solid to take images in focus,” McCarty said.
• Scout a location
  • Plan ahead to scout a location from where to take photos. For example, find an open area with a clear view of the sky, especially toward the sun’s horizon, Patricolo said.
• Adjust settings
  • Play with aperture, shutter speed and ISO to determine the best settings for the photo, McCarty said. Those using a phone can download a manual camera app to control these settings.

Tips for using a phone to take eclipse photos

Many people will be taking photos with their phones. In that case, McCarty recommends the following tips:

• Switch to video mode
  • Make sure to adjust your phone’s settings to record in 4K rather than the standard 1080p. Record 10-20 seconds then take a screenshot from the video.
• Lower exposure
  • Zoom in and lower the exposure. On iPhone, that means dragging the sun icon down.
• Use a solar filter
  • Even for phones, McCarty recommends using an ISO-certified solar filter over the lens to handle the power of the sun.

What time will major US cities see the eclipse? Here’s a guide

Mike Snider

In the United States, Alaska and Maine are the lucky states most likely to get a partial eclipse view.

In Alaska, the eclipse will happen in the morning, while those in the northern U.S. will be able to see it between midday and midafternoon, according to NASA. For the eastern U.S., peak partial viewing times will be just before 2 p.m. ET.

Here are NASA’s local times for select U.S. cities where the eclipse is visible – when it starts and ends, when it’s at its maximum and the percentage of the sun eclipsed by the moon.

• Anchorage, Alaska
  • Partial eclipse begins: 7:36 a.m.
  • Maxium: 8:21 a.m.
  • Coverage: 28%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 9:09 a.m.
• Bangor, Maine
  • Partial eclipse beings: 12:54 p.m.
  • Maxium: 1:53 p.m.
  • Coverage: 24%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:49 p.m.
• Boston, Massachusetts
  • Partial eclipse begins: 1:01 p.m.
  • Maximum: 1:55 p.m.
  • Coverage: 16%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:46 p.m.
• Detroit, Michigan
  • Partial eclipse begins: 1:03 p.m.
  • Maximum: 1:36 p.m.
  • Coverage: 3%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:08 p.m.
• Fairbanks, Alaska
  • Partial eclipse begins: 7:37 a.m.
  • Maximum: 8:27 a.m.
  • Coverage: 37%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 9:18 a.m.
• Juneau, Alaska
  • Partial eclipse begins: 7:41 a.m.
  • Maximum: 8:24 a.m.
  • Coverage: 17%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 9:08 a.m.
• New York, New York
  • Partial eclipse begins: 1:07 p.m.
  • Maximum: 1:54 p.m.
  • Coverage: 9%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:38 p.m.
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Partial eclipse begins: 1:11 p.m.
  • Maximum: 1:53 p.m.
  • Coverage: 7%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:35 p.m.
• Portland, Maine
  • Partial eclipse begins: 12:57 p.m.
  • Maximum: 1:53 p.m.
  • Coverage: 19%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:27 p.m.
• Washington, D.C.
  • Partial eclipse begins: 1:17 p.m.
  • Maximum: 1:53 p.m.
  • Coverage: 4%
  • Partial eclipse ends: 2:27 p.m.

Solar eclipse just one of multiple celestial events on Aug. 12

Gabe Hauari, Julia Gomez and Melina Khan

You should definitely look up today. Wednesday, Aug. 12, is set to be a backyard astronomer’s dream, with multiple celestial events lining up to produce the ultimate stargazing experience.

In addition to the solar eclipse there will be a planetary alignment, or “planetary parade”, the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak, and a new moon.

Crowds in Europe gather to watch solar eclipse 2026

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Today’s solar eclipse may only be partially viewable in the U.S., but skywatchers in Europe are getting the “total” experience – like Americans did back in 2024.

When you catch a glimpse depends on where you’re located. And for locales across places like Spain, Britain, and Iceland, the buzz had people lining up for glasses or enjoying watch parties early on Wednesday.

Watch the solar eclipse live

Saman Shafiq

NASA will offer live coverage of the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 on its website and YouTube channel. The organization said its coverage will feature “telescope views, footage from a WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft chasing the Moon’s shadow (and) expert commentary.”

NASA’s coverage is expected to go live at 1:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

USA TODAY will also offer live coverage of the eclipse on its website and social media channels.

See where skies will be clear on Aug. 12 for the eclipse

Gabe Hauari

According to The Weather Channel, the best viewing weather for the partial eclipse in the U.S. will be in most of New England, northern Alaska and parts of the Upper Midwest.

Americans in parts of the mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, parts of Montana, parts of the northern Plains, and southern Alaska will get a cloudier view, according to the weather forecaster.

There are 26 states, along with Washington, DC, that will be able to see the partial solar eclipse on Aug. 12.

Why the US won’t see the solar eclipse in totality

Amaris Encinas

Large swaths of the country will miss the solar eclipse because they live in areas outside the path of totality; however, a partial eclipse will be visible in several states across the northern United States and Alaska.

Americans within the viewing zone will “see only a small ‘bite’ taken out of the solar disk as the Moon appears to just clip the Sun,” according to NASA.

Meanwhile, large swaths of the country, 23 states to be exact, will see nothing at all.

What was the longest eclipse ever recorded?

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Wednesday’s solar eclipse will be a total one for some viewers overseas, meaning the moon will temporairly block the sun entirely. This is called “totality” and is only expected to last about two or so minutes as the celestial bodies pass one another.

While those short few minutes are typical of a solar exlipse, the longest one on record plunged the world into darkness much longer: about 7 minutes, 28 seconds, to be exact. This longest totality on record occurred on June 15, 743 B.C., off the coast of Kenya and Somalia in Africa, according to NASA.

Another long eclipse, expected to last more than 6 minutes, is also coming in 2027.

How much of the eclipse is the US actually seeing?

Fernando Cervantes Jr.

Millions of Americans will get the chance to see today’s partial solar eclipse. But don’t expect the same dramatic daytime darkness that accompanied 2024’s total solar eclipse.

While parts of Europe, Greenland and Iceland will witness a total solar eclipse, viewers across portions of the East Coast, Midwest and Alaska will see the moon partially cover the sun, creating a rare celestial show and some noticeable dimming in the sky.

The eclipse begins around 11:34 a.m. ET and reaches its peak at 1:46 p.m. ET, according to NASA.

The following states are set to catch at least part of the eclipse, weather permitting: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Forget your eclipse glasses? DIY a safe viewer

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

It may be tempting to look straight at the sky when an eclipse rolls through, but wait, you can’t just look right at the thing.

Peeking at a partial eclipse without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage, making special glasses a necessity for safe viewing.

Realize a little too late? Luckily, you can make a safe viewer with household items.

NASA’s cereal box viewer entails cutting both ends off of a box and covering one end with foil, then poking a hole in one end. The Planetary Society’s paper viewer requires just index cards or paper plates and pushpins, or even easier, a colander, allowing you to watch a projection of the eclipse’s shadow moving across the sky.

Something similar can be done with a paper tube, like one from a paper towel or toilet roll, and some aluminum foil.

For step-by-step instructions on how to make and use these viewers, check out USA TODAY’s full guide.

How to watch the eclipse safely

James Powel

Before you step outside to view Wednesday’s eclipse, experts have a warning: Looking at the sun without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage.

NASA says staring at the sun is unlikely to completely blind you, as it’s human instinct to look away before permanent damage occurs. However, the sun’s powerful rays can still burn and damage your retinas if proper safety precautions aren’t taken.

The most straightforward and way to view the eclipse is with a pair of solar eclipse glasses.

Solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers can be purchased, but should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard, according to NASA. The space agency does not certify the safety of solar eclipse glasses, USA TODAY previously reported.

Those who cannot procure a pair of solar eclipse glasses can construct a pin projector from common household objects. NASA provides instructions on its website.

See Google’s nod to the solar eclipse

Mary Walrath-Holdridge

Even if you can’t see today’s solar eclipse in your state, you can still see it on your screen.

Google added a techy way to interact with the eclipse on Wednesday, Aug. 12, with a Google Doodle animation that simulates what thousands of people will see this afternoon: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth.

Curious users can catch a glimpse by entering the following prompts:

How can you see Google’s total solar eclipse animation?

To see the animation for yourself, users can type the following into the search engine at Google.com:

• Eclipse 2026
• Solar eclipse
• Solar eclipse 2026
• August 12 eclipse

What time can we see the partial eclipse in the US?

Mike Snider

Sky-watchers in the northern U.S. and southern Canada will get to see the moon take “a small bite” out of the sun.

Those wanting to see the partial eclipse in Alaska will want to be ready in the morning, just after 7:30 a.m. local time, to get a glimpse. Those in Fairbanks, Alaska, will see the moon eclipse about 37% of the sun, while in Juneau, Alaska, the eclipse is expected to have 17% coverage.

Some north-central U.S. states including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota will begin to see a partial eclipse starting about 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time and 11:30 a.m. Central Time, according to the website Time and Date.

Most states able to see a partial eclipse will want to watch the sky in the early afternoon. For instance, Bangor, Maine, is expected to see the moon cover 24% of the sun, with the partial eclipse starting at 12:54 p.m. local time, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Detroit will only see 3% coverage, beginning at 1:03 p.m local time.

Eastern cities including New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will see a partial eclipse shortly after 1 p.m.

A total eclipse will be viewable in Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal, NASA said. In Greenland and Iceland, the eclipse will begin late afternoon or early evening. For Spain, totality will begin in the late evening, just before sunset, NASA said. In the morning, northern Russia will begin seeing a partial eclipse, with Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, among those getting a total eclipse in the evening. St. Petersburg, Russia, will get 79% coverage in the evening, NASA said.

See map of states that could see partial solar eclipse

Melina Khan

The partial solar eclipse will be visible in 26 states and Washington, DC, according to Time and Date and NASA.

See the map below for states included in the partial coverage area:

The full list of areas include the following: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.