Solar Eclipse and Perseid Meteor Shower to Light Up the Sky on Aug. 12

For space enthusiasts and skywatchers, Wednesday, Aug. 12, promises to be an unforgettable day and night of celestial events. During the day, observers across North America — including Alaska, eastern Canada and parts of the northeastern United States — will be able to watch a partial solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain.

If you plan to watch the eclipse, be sure to use certified solar eclipse glasses throughout the partial phase. Looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection can cause serious and permanent eye damage. We also have gear suggestions to help you safely enjoy this rare skywatching event from wherever you are.

After sunset, the night sky will offer another spectacular display: the Perseid meteor shower. The annual meteor shower reaches its peak overnight from Aug. 12 to 13, and this year’s new moon will create especially dark skies for meteor watching. The best viewing is expected between midnight and 2 a.m. local time, although meteors may be visible throughout the night.

According to the Planetary Society, viewers under dark skies could see approximately 50 to 75 meteors per hour during the Perseid meteor shower’s peak. The moon-free conditions will also provide an excellent opportunity to view the Milky Way and search for the six planets that will appear together in the sky before dawn.