A rare celestial spectacle played out across the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday as the moon passed directly between Earth and the sun, casting a total solar eclipse across parts of Europe.
While the eclipse’s path of totality stayed overseas, millions of Americans still got a glimpse of the event. Skywatchers in 26 states and Washington, DC, were treated to a partial eclipse beginning around 1 p.m. ET.
According to NASA, some of the best views came from Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and Russia. In the United States, the moon obscured only a portion of the sun, creating a crescent-shaped glow that NASA compares to a cookie with a bite taken out of it.
The eclipse was particularly notable in Europe, marking the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999 and Spain’s first total solar eclipse since 1905.
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between Earth and the sun without aligning perfectly. Instead of plunging locations into darkness, the moon covers only part of the sun, leaving behind the eclipse’s distinctive crescent shape.
Saleen Martin
Experts at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Old Farmer’s Almanac have called for more eclipses this year and in 2027, including a partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.
There are four lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses expected between now and August 2027, according to NASA. An annular solar eclipse is slated for February 2027, and another, this time a total solar eclipse, is expected in August 2027.
Those wanting to see some space activity sooner have a lunar eclipse to look forward to at the end of August. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the sun and the full moon. The Earth’s shadow, called an umbra, is cast across the moon’s surface, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Stargazers will see the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28. About 96% of the moon’s face will be covered, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The almanac said the eclipse’s early stages may begin before the moon rises on Aug. 27 in parts of the western U.S. Those wanting to check their local moonrise times can use the almanac’s online tool.
The eclipse will reach its maximum at:
People across the central and eastern U.S. will be able to see the partial lunar eclipse, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. During the maximum eclipse, most of North America will be able to see it, minus northwestern Canada and Alaska.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Mike Snider
When the moon slipped directly between Earth and the sun at about 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET) on Aug. 12, sky-watchers in Spain were treated to the first total solar eclipse viewable from its mainland since 1905, ending a 121-year wait for totality.
Wednesday’s event is the first total solar eclipse to cross mainland Europe in 27 years, since a widely watched eclipse darkened parts of the continent in August 1999. Total eclipses have been visible in some European territories since then, such as the Faroe Islands and Svalbard in 2015, but this is the first one affecting mainland Europe since 1999, according to the European Space Agency.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Ever wonder what an eclipse looks like from space? Thanks to the power of the internet, we know.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared a snap captured from the International Space Station to social media around 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, saying that thanks to the position of ISS when the eclipse occurred, she only caught a partial view.
“We saw only a partial eclipse, with a peak of around 18% sun coverage. Here’s how it looked from a window in the Russian segment about 45 minutes ago,” she said.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
The opportunity to see today’s solar eclipse in person has passed for most Americans. While no states were in the path of totality, at least 26 states and Washington, DC, were able to get a partial view, ranging from over 30% sun coverage down to just a tiny sliver.
The window for viewing closed in most states a little before 3 p.m. ET. Luckily for those who missed the real thing, images from several U.S. states have begun rolling in across the airwaves.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Whether it’s an album drop or a rare space phenomenon, leave it to the internet to make a meme.
And of course, everyone making those memes has an opinion. While many online were clearly in awe of today’s events, some Americans were less impressed after 2024’s spectacular show of a total eclipse. Others, including the White House itself, just used the moment as an opportunity to make some well-timed jokes.
(As a reminder, it’s still not safe to look directly at a solar eclipse without protection.)
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Whether they got the partial or full experience, skywatchers across Europe and beyond were nonetheless impressed with today’s celestial happenings, if photos are to be believed.
Images out of Sweden, Spain, Iceland, Germany, Britain, France and Iceland show spectacular views not only of the sun itself, but of the people appreciating it.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Janet Loehrke
As the Earth, sun and moon orbit, the appearance of an eclipse changes quickly. Totality, or the moment the moon entirely covers the sun, is usually just a few minutes long. The rest is part of a five-stage process, per NASA:
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Maine and Alaska are the two luckiest states for good viewing of this solar eclipse, with the best opportunity to see more sun coverage.
The National Weather Service out of Caribou, Maine, posted images as the eclipse began and just before the moment of totality at 1:50 p.m. ET, when coverage peaked at 28%.
NASA, on the other hand, shared an image out of Hodgon, Maine, in which a tiny speck that is its space station can be viewed in front of the fading sun.
Other social media users from the state also shared their own images, which resemble just what NASA said: a cookie with a bite taken out.
Mary Walrath-Holdridge
We know that no states in the U.S. are in the “path of totality” this time around – but what does that mean?
Put simply by NASA, the path of totality is where observers will see the moon completely cover the sun. It’s the area in which the moon’s darkest shadow falls during an eclipse.
“Totality” itself refers to the moment when the moon is entirely covering the sun. This is the moment you can (carefully) look directly up without glasses, and the moment during which everything goes as dark as it’s going to get. It usually lasts just minutes, if not seconds, though it could last as long as 7 minutes and 30 seconds, according to NASA.
Stephen J. Beard
Having trouble visualizing how exactly the Earth, sun, and moon move to create the shadow of an eclipse? Check out NASA’s 3D simulation, which shows a minute-by-minute play.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Many people will be taking photos with their phones. In that case, McCarty recommends the following tips:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
To see the animation for yourself, users can type the following into the search engine at Google.com:
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.
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.