On August 12, 2026, a feast for the eyes will take over NYC skies. The rare spectacle will be a partial solar eclipse in the northern U.S., Canada, Europe and northwestern Africa. That means in NYC, the sun will only partially be blocked by the moon — a sliver that is still nothing short of spectacular.
What to know about the partial solar eclipse on August 12th
According to NASA, the partial eclipse will begin around midday, lingering in the skies through the midafternoon for states farther east. In NYC, the show will begin at 1:07 p.m., reaching its peak at 1:54 p.m. before trickling out at 2:38p.m. Coverage will only be 9%, with the moon taking out a small bite of the solar disk.
A few countries across the globe will get a total eclipse, with up to 96% coverage in Algeria and 99% in Barcelona.
Do you need eye protection to watch the eclipse?
Only during total solar eclipses, when the moon fully blocks out the sun, can viewers look directly at the sky without eye protection. Since NYC’s eclipse will be partial, it’s advisable to wear proper eye protection (and no, sunglasses don’t count).
Eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers will be your best friend, but if you have none of those, you can also safely look at the eclipse through a pinhole. More information on the Solar Eclipse Across America website.
Space Explorers: The ISS Experience
Continue the space exploration in NYC
While the partial eclipse only lasts a few minutes, you can continue to marvel at our universe by paying a visit to Space Explorers: The ISS Experience at Eclipso NYC. Deemed “the world’s largest immersive space experience”, the adventure charmed over 500,000 visitors globally, before landing in our very own backyard.
Inspired by real NASA missions, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through space and back. Using real footage from astronauts and coupled with advanced spatial design, it recreates the International Space Station in striking detail.
Visitors will learn about the daily lives of astronauts, witness captivating views of the Earth from orbit and feel like they’ve experienced life in space — without ever leaving NYC. The adventure takes off at 555 West 57th Street, with tickets starting at $33 (and a special discount in honor of the August 12th eclipse!) The perfect opportunity to marvel at the cosmos a while longer…