Solar eclipse on August 12 to be partially visible in US

On August 12, a total solar eclipse will traverse across Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small section of Portugal. For observers in the United States, the event will manifest as a partial solar eclipse, with visibility concentrated primarily in the northern parts of the country.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has provided guidance for safe viewing. It is crucial for anyone wishing to observe the eclipse, especially the partial phase visible in the U.S., to use specialized eclipse glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer. NASA also directs people to consult its interactive map for precise viewing times specific to their locations.

In the U.S., the partial eclipse will be visible across various regions, including Alaska and parts of the continental U.S. such as the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest. The percentage of the sun obscured will vary significantly depending on the viewing city.

Beyond the solar eclipse, August offers other notable astronomical events. The Perseid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak activity on the night of August 12. Conditions are predicted to be favorable, with the preceding new moon leaving the sky dark and allowing for the observation of fainter meteors. The International Meteor Organization places the shower's maximum on August 13.

Additionally, Mercury reached its greatest western elongation on August 2, appearing at its maximum apparent separation from the Sun. Other celestial bodies like Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, and Mars will also be visible in a wide arc across the sky in the hours preceding the eclipse.