Which solar eclipse viewing method is right for you?

['Jamie Carter', 'Live Science Contributor', 'Layer Van-Ds .Vds-Author Font-Size Var --Text-Base', 'Font-Size Var --Vds-Author-Font-Size', 'Var --Text-Base', 'Line-Height Var --Text-Base--Line-Height', 'Line-Height Var --Vds-Author-Line-Height', 'Var --Text-Base--Line-Height', 'Letter-Spacing Var --Tracking-Normal', 'Letter-Spacing Var --Vds-Author-Letter-Spacing'] Latest from Live Science 2026-07-29 12:00:00

The total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, will attract millions of viewers across northern Spain, western Iceland and eastern Greenland, while a deep partial eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, and a smaller partial eclipse will reach parts of northeastern North America. Eclipse glasses for viewing from landEclipse glasses are the easiest and safest way to view the partial phases. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)Many eclipse chasers prefer handheld solar viewers to eclipse glasses. Confirmed live streams so far include the total solar eclipse by TimeAndDate and the European Space Agency , while partial solar eclipse images will come from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, U.K. The best viewing method for a solar eclipse depends entirely on what you want to get from it.