Solar eclipse and Perseids arrive on the same dayThe month's biggest event begins on Aug. 12, when the Moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, creating a total solar eclipse visible across northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and a small part of Portugal. People in parts of the United States, from Alaska to North Carolina, will instead see a partial solar eclipse, with the amount of the Sun covered varying by location. Because the New Moon also occurs on Aug. 12, the sky will be especially dark, offering ideal viewing conditions. Anyone planning to watch the solar eclipse should use certified eclipse glasses or an approved solar viewer whenever any part of the Sun remains visible. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to observe without eye protection.