Why can't I see the solar eclipse in the western US? See explanation

Today, Aug. 12, a solar eclipse will happen. The best views will be in European countries like Iceland or Spain, and some places in the eastern United States will be able to see a small part of the celestial event.

The total solar eclipse started around 7:34 a.m. PST or 11:34 a.m. ET, according to Time and Date. The maximum eclipse will occur at 10:46 a.m. PST or 1:46 p.m. ET. A total solar eclipse usually only happens about once every 18 months, per Time and Date. The last total solar eclipse was on April 8, 2024.

However, unfortunately for sky-gazers living in western states like Nevada or California, they won't be able to see the eclipse at all.

Here's a look at why people in the West won't be able to see the eclipse, how westerners can still see the eclipse online, where people will be able to see the solar eclipse in person today and what people in states like Nevada or California can still look forward to see in the sky.

People in the western U.S. won't be able to see the solar eclipse because the path the moon and sun will cross over one another falls over areas more northeast, like in eastern states and especially Europe.

The Aug. 12 total solar eclipse will only be visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and parts of Portugal.

The following states, including Washington D.C., will be able to see the partial solar eclipse on Aug. 12, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting and National Eclipse, an organization that provides information on upcoming eclipses:

There are still ways to keep up with solar eclipse news even if you're in the western U.S., such as checking out USA TODAY's live blog on the celestial event.

Though people in the western U.S. won't be able to see the solar eclipse, another event is happening in skies today, though just a bit later. The Perseids, the strongest meteor shower of the summer, is set to peak on Aug. 12-13.

Contributing: Saleen Martin, Julia Gomez, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why can't I see the solar eclipse in the western US? See explanation