Millions of Americans will get a chance to see a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, Aug. 12, but don’t expect the dramatic daytime darkness that captivated the country during the 2024 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.

Will you be able to see the eclipse?

If you live in one of 27 states or Washington, D.C., there’s a chance you’ll catch at least part of the eclipse, weather permitting.

The partial eclipse will be visible in parts of:

• 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
• Wisconsin

How dark will it get?

Not very, at least compared with a total solar eclipse.

According to NASA, parts of the East Coast and Alaska could notice some dimming as the moon blocks a portion of the sun. But unlike the 2024 eclipse, the sky won’t turn dark and stars won’t suddenly appear in the middle of the day.

Still, the event offers a rare opportunity to watch one of nature’s most precise cosmic alignments unfold overhead.

Why this eclipse is drawing attention

Total solar eclipses occur somewhere on Earth only about once every 18 months, making them among the rarest recurring celestial events.

Many Americans still remember the spectacular April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocked the sun across a broad stretch of the United States. While this week’s eclipse won’t bring totality to U.S. viewers, it’s still one of the most anticipated skywatching events of 2026 and offers a rare chance to see a dramatic partial eclipse.

The event comes just one year before the Aug. 2, 2027, total solar eclipse that NASA has dubbed the “Eclipse of the Century.” That eclipse is expected to feature an exceptionally long period of totality, lasting up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds at its peak, making it one of the longest total solar eclipses visible anywhere in the world in decades.

This week’s eclipse may not darken skies across America, but it’s the latest reminder that one of nature’s most spectacular shows is building toward an even bigger celestial event next year.

How to watch safely

Looking directly at the sun during a partial solar eclipse can cause serious eye damage.

NASA recommends using certified solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers designed specifically for eclipse viewing. Regular sunglasses are not safe for observing the sun.

Anyone using cameras, telescopes or binoculars should also ensure they have approved solar filters.

No eclipse glasses? Here’s another option

You can safely view the eclipse using a pinhole projector, which projects an image of the sun onto a nearby surface rather than requiring direct viewing.

A basic pinhole viewer can be made using simple household materials such as cardboard and aluminum foil.

The bottom line

Wednesday’s eclipse won’t bring the jaw-dropping darkness Americans experienced in 2024. But for millions across the U.S., it will still provide a rare chance to see the moon take a visible bite out of the sun, making it worth stepping outside and looking up, safely, during the middle of the day.

USA TODAY’s Julia Gomez, Melina Khan and Saleen Martin contributed to this report.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_