August 12 solar eclipse offers complete view across North America
The August 12 total solar eclipse is the most complete since 1989, visible across North America. Viewers must use ISO-certified eye protection to safely observe the event.
Wednesday August 12 will bring the most complete solar eclipse since 1989. The moon will fully cover the sun for a brief period in the path of totality that stretches from the Pacific coast of North America to the Atlantic. Viewers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will see the sky darken as the corona lights up. Anyone watching from outside the path will see a dramatic partial eclipse. To see it safely, you need special eye protection.
Solar eclipses happen when the moon sits exactly between Earth and the sun. They are rare because the moon’s orbit is tilted to the Earth‑sun line. The August 12 eclipse is the next major one after the 2017 event that crossed the continental US. The 1989 eclipse was the last time a total eclipse was visible from Europe, and it drew millions of observers. The 2024 event will again bring the sun’s light into darkness for a few minutes, a moment that has fascinated scientists and the public for centuries.
France 24’s Bryan Quinn explains how to choose the right glasses. The filters must meet the ISO 12312‑2 safety standard and block 99.9999 % of visible light. Cheap or homemade filters can be dangerous. NASA recommends certified solar viewers or solar‑
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