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For skywatchers across North America and Europe, Wednesday, Aug. 12 offers a rare opportunity to experience two very different celestial events in a single day. A partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of eastern Canada and parts of the U.S. before darkness brings the peak of the Perseid meteor shower beneath a moonless sky. It’s also prime time for observing Venus and seeing the Milky Way. Those willing to spend the day — and night — outside could witness some of the finest skywatching 2026 has to offer.
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August 12, 2026: Start With A Solar Eclipse
The day’s first event unfolds in daylight. Although the moon’s dark umbral shadow will miss North America, millions of people will still see the moon take a noticeable bite out of the sun. The deepest eclipse on the continent will occur in far northern Canada, while Alaska and the northeastern U.S. receive the best U.S. views. Fairbanks will experience about 37% of the sun covered at approximately 8:27 a.m. AKDT. In the contiguous U.S., Maine gets the largest partial eclipse, with Presque Isle reaching about 28% at around 1:50 p.m. EDT. Boston will see roughly 16% coverage at about 1:53 p.m., while New York City reaches about 10% at approximately 1:54 p.m. EDT. There’s nowhere special you need to be because the sun will be high in the sky — a city sidewalk is fine.
Across the Atlantic, the eclipse will be far more dramatic. A narrow path of totality crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, where the moon will completely cover the sun for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds. Elsewhere across Europe, a deep partial eclipse will be visible, with London seeing about 91% of the sun covered and Paris about 92%. Madrid and Barcelona are both outside the path of totality, so won’t see a total solar eclipse, instead seeing only a 99% partial eclipse.
August 12, 2026: Don’t Forget Your Eclipse Glasses
A partial eclipse is never safe to watch without eye protection. Certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard are essential throughout the event, while binoculars, cameras, and telescopes require securely mounted solar filters over the front of their optics. It’s fine to use eclipse glasses leftover from the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse across North America — though do check for scratches and pinpricks (it’s wise to shine a torch through the lenses to see if any light comes through). If in doubt, replace them, though be sure to only buy eclipse glasses from reputable manufacturers featured on the American Astronomical Society’s Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters webpage.
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August 12, 2026: Stay Out After Sunset
Once the eclipse is over, the temptation may be to head inside. That would be a mistake. The same new moon responsible for the eclipse will leave the night sky free from moonlight as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its annual maximum. That’s one reason astronomers are especially excited about this year’s display. With no bright moon competing against faint meteors, observers under rural skies could see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, while even suburban observers should enjoy a steady stream of shooting stars.
August 12, 2026: Find Dark Skies
The single biggest factor determining how many meteors you’ll see is where you watch from. If you can, drive away from the light pollution of towns and cities. National parks, Dark Sky Places, DarkSky Preserves and rural coastlines all provide darker skies and reveal many more faint meteors than suburban neighborhoods — though if you want to camp overnight, book in advance (such places get very busy for the Perseids). Once there, give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness and resist checking your phone. Although the Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, meteors can appear almost anywhere overhead.
August 12, 2026: More Than Just Shooting Stars
The eclipse and the Perseids won’t be the only attractions. The Milky Way will arch high across the southern sky from dark locations, offering one of the year’s finest views of our home galaxy. Brilliant Venus will also reach dichotomy, appearing very bright yet only half-illuminated through a small telescope as it swings closer to Earth.
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Further reading
ForbesThe Perseid Meteor Shower Begins Today: When To WatchBy Jamie CarterForbesThe ‘Blaze Star’ Could Explode Tonight — Here’s Where To LookBy Jamie CarterForbes50 Days To A Total Solar Eclipse — Where And When To Experience ItBy Jamie CarterForbesWhy Americans Cannot Ignore August’s Total Solar EclipseBy Jamie Carter