Nearly 2 1⁄2 years after space enthusiasts last saw a total solar eclipse, another is on its way, allowing U.S. viewers to see a partial glimpse of the phenomenon.

This year's eclipse falls on Aug. 12, allowing people across most of Europe and in northwestern Africa to see the moon cover most of the sun. But for most people, including those in the United States, the moon will not completely block the sun, making this year's eclipse partial, according to NASA's website.

The lucky people in the United States able to view the partial solar eclipse this year include those from Alaska to North Carolina. People in Washington, DC, will also be able to see it.

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, NASA said.

People near the center of the eclipse path in Greenland, Russia or the North Atlantic will experience the eclipse for a slightly longer period; most people will see the sun eclipsed for less than two minutes, according to NASA.

Here's what else we know about this year's eclipse.

Peeking at the Earth As the Artemis II crew came close to passing behind the Moon and experiencing a planned loss of signal on April 6, 2026, they captured this image of a crescent Earth setting on the Moon’s limb. The edge of the visible surface of the Moon is called the “lunar limb.” (NASA)
Peeking at the Earth As the Artemis II crew came close to passing behind the Moon and experiencing a planned loss of signal on April 6, 2026, they captured this image of a crescent Earth setting on the Moon’s limb. The edge of the visible surface of the Moon is called the “lunar limb.” (NASA)
A New View of the MoonEarth sets at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, over the Moon’s curved limb in this photo captured by the Artemis II crew during their journey around the far side of the Moon. (NASA)
A New View of the MoonEarth sets at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, over the Moon’s curved limb in this photo captured by the Artemis II crew during their journey around the far side of the Moon. (NASA)
Artemis II in EclipseCaptured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, this image shows the Moon fully eclipsing the Sun. From the crew’s perspective, the Moon appears large enough to completely block the Sun, creating nearly 54 minutes of totality and extending the view far beyond what is possible from Earth. We see a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk. (NASA)
Artemis II in EclipseCaptured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, this image shows the Moon fully eclipsing the Sun. From the crew’s perspective, the Moon appears large enough to completely block the Sun, creating nearly 54 minutes of totality and extending the view far beyond what is possible from Earth. We see a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk. (NASA)
Shadows at the Edge of Lunar Day The Artemis II crew captures a portion of the Moon coming into view along the terminator – the boundary between lunar day and night – where low-angle sunlight casts long, dramatic shadows across the surface on April 6, 2026. This grazing light accentuates the Moon’s rugged topography, revealing craters, ridges, and basin structures in striking detail. Features along the terminator such as Jule Crater, Birkhoff Crater, Stebbins Crater, and surrounding highlands stand out. From this perspective, the interplay of light and shadow highlights the complexity of the lunar surface in ways not visible under full illumination. The image was captured about three hours into the crew’s lunar observation period, as they flew around the far side of the Moon on the sixth day of the mission. (NASA)
Shadows at the Edge of Lunar Day The Artemis II crew captures a portion of the Moon coming into view along the terminator – the boundary between lunar day and night – where low-angle sunlight casts long, dramatic shadows across the surface on April 6, 2026. This grazing light accentuates the Moon’s rugged topography, revealing craters, ridges, and basin structures in striking detail. Features along the terminator such as Jule Crater, Birkhoff Crater, Stebbins Crater, and surrounding highlands stand out. From this perspective, the interplay of light and shadow highlights the complexity of the lunar surface in ways not visible under full illumination. The image was captured about three hours into the crew’s lunar observation period, as they flew around the far side of the Moon on the sixth day of the mission. (NASA)
Artemis II Total Solar Eclipse, Partial Frame A close-up view from the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II crew’s lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, captures a total solar eclipse, with only part of the Moon visible in the frame as it fully obscures the Sun. (NASA)
Artemis II Total Solar Eclipse, Partial Frame A close-up view from the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II crew’s lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, captures a total solar eclipse, with only part of the Moon visible in the frame as it fully obscures the Sun. (NASA)
Solar Eclipse Emergence from OrionCaptured from the Orion spacecraft near the end of the Artemis II lunar flyby on April 6, this image shows the Sun beginning to peek out from behind the Moon as the eclipse transitions out of totality. (NASA)
Solar Eclipse Emergence from OrionCaptured from the Orion spacecraft near the end of the Artemis II lunar flyby on April 6, this image shows the Sun beginning to peek out from behind the Moon as the eclipse transitions out of totality. (NASA)
The Edge of Two WorldsEarth draws closer to passing behind the Moon in this image captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby, about six minutes before Earthset. (NASA)
The Edge of Two WorldsEarth draws closer to passing behind the Moon in this image captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby, about six minutes before Earthset. (NASA)
Shadows Across Vavilov Crater A close-up view taken by the Artemis II crew of Vavilov Crater on the rim of the older and larger Hertzsprung basin. (NASA)
Shadows Across Vavilov Crater A close-up view taken by the Artemis II crew of Vavilov Crater on the rim of the older and larger Hertzsprung basin. (NASA)
Artemis Era EarthriseEarthrise captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 7:22 p.m. ET during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon’s far side. (NASA)
Artemis Era EarthriseEarthrise captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 7:22 p.m. ET during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon’s far side. (NASA)

Peeking at the Earth
As the Artemis II crew came close to passing behind the Moon and experiencing a planned loss of signal on April 6, 2026, they captured this image of a crescent Earth setting on the Moon’s limb. The edge of the visible surface of the Moon is called the “lunar limb.”

A total eclipse occurs when the moon moves in front of the sun. The area where the total solar eclipse is visible is called a path of totality. 

During this period, people in the center of the moon's shadow will be able to see a total solar eclipse, NASA said. 

Before and after totality, when the moon covers only part of the sun, NASA recommends viewers use eye protection such as solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses), handheld solar viewers or other solar filters that block most of the sun's light and protect the eyes from damage.

Those wanting to get a look at the eclipse can also make pinhole projectors using a cereal or shoe box, scissors, tape, aluminum foil and other supplies.

"Only during those brief moments of totality, when the moon completely blocks the sun's bright face, can viewers look directly at the eclipse without eye protection," NASA said.

When viewers can see maximum coverage largely depends on where they are in the United States.

Scientists use percentages to measure the maximum area of the sun that the moon covers during eclipses, NASA said. U.S. cities with the most coverage for the Aug. 12 eclipse include Fairbanks, Alaska, at 37%; Anchorage, Alaska, at 28%; and Bangor, Maine, at 24%.

According to NASA, 10 U.S. cities where people can see the partial solar eclipse include:

Visible from 7:37 a.m. to 9:18 a.m.

Visible from 7:36 a.m. to 9:09 a.m.

Visible from 12:54 p.m. to 2:49 p.m.

Visible from 12:57 p.m. to 2:27 p.m.

Visible from 7:41 a.m. to 9:08 a.m.

Visible from 1:01 p.m. to 2:46 p.m.

Visible from 1:07 p.m. to 2:38 p.m.

Visible from 1:11 p.m. to 2:35 p.m.

Visible from 1:17 p.m. to 2:27 p.m.

Visible from 1:03 p.m. to 2:08 p.m.

NASA will host a live broadcast of the eclipse beginning at 1:15 p.m. ET on Aug. 12 on Amazon Prime, Facebook, Instagram, NASA+, Twitch, X and YouTube.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A partial solar eclipse is approaching. See which states can view it