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Amanda Greenwood

By Amanda Greenwood

Associate News Editor

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Americans will have a rare opportunity to witness two of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year on Wednesday, August 12, when a partial solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the United States before the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak later that night.

The unusual timing means some states will be able to experience both celestial phenomena within a matter of hours.

What Is the Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily blocking sunlight. On August 12, a total solar eclipse will cross northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain, while parts of the United States will see a partial eclipse instead.

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According to NASA, during a partial eclipse, the moon appears to take a "small bite out of the sun" rather than covering it completely.

The moon passes in front of the sun during the Great American Eclipse on April 8, 2023, in New York City.

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Solar eclipses are among the most watched astronomical events because they are relatively uncommon and offer a dramatic visual reminder of the precise alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun.

NASA warns that viewers should use certified eclipse glasses or approved solar filters whenever any portion of the sun remains visible, as regular sunglasses don’t provide enough protection.

The August 12 eclipse will occur during daylight hours, with exact viewing times varying by location. Observers in Alaska will see some of the greatest eclipse coverage in the U.S., while states farther east will generally see a smaller portion of the sun obscured.

What Is the Perseid Meteor Shower?

A Perseid meteor streaks above a sandstone outcropping at Redstone in the Pinto Valley wilderness area on August 12, 2021 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.

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The Perseid meteor shower is widely regarded as one of the best annual meteor displays. It occurs every year when Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As tiny fragments of dust and rock enter Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up and create bright streaks of light commonly known as shooting stars.

NASA says that the shower reaches its peak on the night of August 12 into the early morning hours of August 13. This year's display is expected to be especially impressive because it coincides with a New Moon, meaning there will be little moonlight to interfere with viewing conditions.

Under dark skies, observers might be able to see dozens of meteors per hour, with some estimates suggesting rates could approach 100 per hour in ideal locations, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

Unlike an eclipse, the Perseids can be viewed safely with the naked eye. NASA recommends finding a dark location away from city lights and allowing about 30 minutes for eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Which US States Will See the Solar Eclipse?

NASA says the partial solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the United States stretching from Alaska to North Carolina.

According to timeanddate, the areas expected to have visibility include:

Coverage levels will vary significantly depending on location, with northern and northeastern locations generally seeing more of the sun obscured.

Which States Will See the Perseid Meteor Shower?

The Perseid meteor shower will be visible across virtually the entire United States, weather permitting. Anyone with clear skies and a reasonably dark viewing location can watch the display after sunset on August 12 and into the early hours of August 13.

That means residents in all states should have an opportunity to view the Perseids, although rural areas away from light pollution typically provide the best viewing conditions.

Which States Will See Both Events?

File photo: Congressional staffers look at the solar eclipse outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 8, 2024.

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Because the meteor shower will be visible nationwide, all of the states that can view the partial solar eclipse will also be able to see the Perseid meteor shower later that night.

Those states are:

For residents in those states, August 12 will offer a rare double feature: A solar eclipse during the day followed by one of the year's brightest meteor showers after dark.

With the New Moon creating ideal viewing conditions for the Perseids, astronomers say the date could become one of the standout skywatching nights of 2026.

Viewing Times Per State—Perseid Meteor Shower

The best viewing time to see the Perseid Meteor shower in all U.S. states is between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday, August 13. Activity should increase after midnight, and, under really dark skies, viewers could see up to 100 meteors per hour.

Eastern (EDT): 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Central (CDT): 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Mountain (MDT): 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Pacific (PDT): 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Alaska (AKDT): 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Hawaii (HST): 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Viewing Times Per State—Partial Eclipse

Observers in Alaska and the Northeast are expected to get the best views of the partial eclipse, with northern Maine and parts of Alaska seeing the greatest amount of solar coverage.

Alaska: roughly 7:34 a.m. to 9:31 a.m. AKDT
Northern Plains (Montana/North Dakota): begins around 10:27 a.m. MDT
Northeast: the maximum eclipse generally occurs between 1:45 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. EDT

States With the Best Partial Eclipse Views

Alaska: 8:18 to 8:27 a.m. (AKDT) with a 28 to 37 percent coverage of the sun
Maine: 1:50 to 1:53 p.m. (EDT) with a 19 to 28 percent coverage of the sun
Vermont: 1:49 p.m. (EDT) with a 17 percent coverage of the sun
New Hampshire: 1:53 p.m. (EDT) with a 16 percent coverage of the sun
Massachusetts: 1:53 to 1:55 p.m. (EDT) with a 14 to 16 percent coverage of the sun
Rhode Island: 1:55 p.m. (EDT) with a 15 percent coverage of the sun
Connecticut: 1:54 p.m. (EDT) with a 11 to 12 percent coverage of the sun
New York: 1:47 to 1:54 p.m. (EDT) with around a 10 to 13 percent coverage of the sun

How To Watch an Eclipse Safely

Anyone planning to watch the August 12 partial solar eclipse should take precautions to protect their eyesight. Unlike a total solar eclipse, during which it is briefly safe to look at the sun with the naked eye from within the path of totality, a partial eclipse requires proper eye protection at all times because part of the sun remains visible throughout the event.

The safest way to observe the eclipse is by using eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for viewing the sun.

Skywatchers should also avoid looking at the eclipse through binoculars, telescopes, cameras or other optical devices unless they are fitted with a certified solar filter on the front of the optics.

For those without eclipse glasses, indirect viewing methods can provide a safe alternative.

NASA says that a simple pinhole projector made from paper or cardboard can project an image of the partially eclipsed sun onto a surface, allowing observers to watch the event without looking directly at the sun.

Update, 08/10/26 9:14 a.m. ET: this article was updated with more information.

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