The August 12, 2026 solar eclipse will be partial across parts of the northern United States, including Alaska, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. For Hispanic communities in the U.S., this guide explains what time to look up, how much of the Sun will be covered in major cities and how to watch safely.
The strongest views in the United States will be in Alaska and northern Maine. However, the 2026 total solar eclipse will not be total anywhere in the U.S.; totality will occur over areas of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, northern Russia and a small part of Portugal.
Access details for NASA's official live stream of the August 12 solar eclipse. Includes global broadcast start times, expert commentary schedules, and direct feeds from the path of totality. | Referencial image created by Depor using Chat GPT AI / GEC
Will the 2026 solar eclipse be visible in the USA?
Yes, but only as a partial solar eclipse in parts of the northern United States on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. During a partial eclipse, the Moon covers only a portion of the Sun, producing what NASA describes as a small “bite” in the solar disk rather than daytime darkness.
Visibility extends from Alaska through parts of the northern contiguous U.S. and reaches as far south as North Carolina. The eclipse will be most noticeable in Alaska and New England, while cities farther south and west will see a much smaller percentage of the Sun obscured.
For viewers in places such as Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas and much of the southern U.S., the eclipse will not be visible. NASA’s livestream is an option for anyone outside the viewing area.
Solar eclipse coverage by U.S. city
The following times are local times. “Coverage” refers to the maximum portion of the Sun’s visible disk covered by the Moon at the peak of the eclipse.
| City | Eclipse begins | Maximum eclipse | Sun coverage | Eclipse ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks, Alaska | 7:37 a.m. | 8:27 a.m. | 37% | 9:18 a.m. |
| Anchorage, Alaska | 7:36 a.m. | 8:21 a.m. | 28% | 9:09 a.m. |
| Juneau, Alaska | 7:41 a.m. | 8:24 a.m. | 17% | 9:08 a.m. |
| Bangor, Maine | 12:54 p.m. | 1:53 p.m. | 24% | 2:49 p.m. |
| Portland, Maine | 12:57 p.m. | 1:53 p.m. | 19% | 2:27 p.m. |
| Boston, Massachusetts | 1:01 p.m. | 1:55 p.m. | 16% | 2:46 p.m. |
| New York City | 1:07 p.m. | 1:54 p.m. | 9% | 2:38 p.m. |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1:11 p.m. | 1:53 p.m. | 7% | 2:35 p.m. |
| Washington, D.C. | 1:17 p.m. | 1:53 p.m. | 4% | 2:27 p.m. |
| Detroit, Michigan | 1:03 p.m. | 1:36 p.m. | 3% | 2:08 p.m. |
Fairbanks will have the highest listed coverage among the selected U.S. cities in NASA’s guide, at 37%. In the contiguous United States, Bangor, Maine will receive one of the clearest partial views, with 24% solar coverage.
What time is the solar eclipse in New York, Boston and D.C.?
New York City
New Yorkers can expect the partial eclipse to begin at 1:07 p.m. EDT, reach its maximum at 1:54 p.m. and end at 2:38 p.m. At peak, about 9% of the Sun will be covered.
Boston and New England
In Boston, the eclipse will run from 1:01 p.m. to 2:46 p.m. EDT, peaking at 1:55 p.m. with 16% coverage. Northern New England will see a stronger event: Bangor, Maine will reach 24% coverage at 1:53 p.m.
Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia
Washington, D.C. will see a relatively subtle partial eclipse, with 4% coverage at 1:53 p.m. EDT. In Philadelphia, the maximum will also occur at 1:53 p.m., with 7% of the Sun covered.
How to watch the eclipse safely
Never look directly at the Sun during a partial solar eclipse without proper protection. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for solar viewing. Use eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer that meets the ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
Do not use eclipse glasses while looking through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or other magnifying optics. NASA warns that concentrated sunlight can damage the filter and cause serious eye injury. If using optical equipment, it must have an appropriate solar filter attached to the front of the device.
A simple alternative is a pinhole projector. With the Sun behind you, a small hole in a card can project the Sun’s image onto a surface, allowing you to observe the eclipse indirectly without looking at the Sun.
How to watch online from anywhere in the U.S.
NASA will broadcast the August 12, 2026 eclipse live beginning at 1:15 p.m. EDT. The coverage will include views from locations along the eclipse path and expert interviews, making it an accessible option for Spanish-speaking families and viewers in cities where the eclipse is not visible.
Peak times for the August 12, 2026 partial solar eclipse vary across the United States and Canada, from the morning in Alaska to the afternoon in the Northeast and Atlantic Canada. PHOTO BY NOÉ YACTAYO
FAQ: 2026 solar eclipse in the USA
Is the August 12, 2026 eclipse total in the United States?
No. The event will be partial in the visible areas of the U.S. The total solar eclipse path will pass through Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain and a small corner of Portugal.
Which U.S. city will see the most of the eclipse?
Among the U.S. cities listed by NASA, Fairbanks, Alaska will see 37% coverage at maximum eclipse. Bangor, Maine will see 24%, making it one of the best locations in the contiguous United States.
Can I see the eclipse from New York City?
Yes. New York City will see a partial eclipse from 1:07 p.m. to 2:38 p.m. EDT, with maximum coverage of 9% at 1:54 p.m.
Will the eclipse be visible in Florida, Texas or California?
NASA identifies parts of the northern U.S., from Alaska to North Carolina, as the U.S. viewing area. Therefore, no local partial eclipse is expected for major cities such as Miami, Houston or Los Angeles. Viewers in those locations can follow NASA’s live online broadcast instead.
Do I need eclipse glasses for a partial solar eclipse?
Yes. It is never safe to look directly at the Sun during a partial eclipse without certified solar-viewing protection. Use ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses, a safe handheld solar viewer or an indirect method such as a pinhole projector.
