Most Americans will miss the solar eclipse on Wednesday, Aug. 12, because the event’s path of totality falls far from the United States.
Astronomy enthusiasts in Iowa or those just wanting to catch a glimpse of the rare phenomenon will have a slight chance of seeing a partial eclipse, but it may be blocked by clouds.
Here’s what to know about Wednesday’s partial eclipse and how to view it in Iowa.
What time is the eclipse in Iowa?
The partial solar eclipse is expected to be visible in a small part of northeast Iowa from around 11:50 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday, with peak viewing likely occurring shortly after noon, according to NASA.
In the United States, the moon will not completely block the sun, which will give the appearance of a cookie with a bite taken out of it, the space agency said. The best viewing will be in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Russia and Spain, beginning in Iceland around 12:45 p.m. CT.
What is the cloud forecast for the eclipse?
At 1 p.m. Wednesday, much of Iowa will have cloudy skies, limiting the chance to see the partial eclipse. In northeast Iowa, cloud cover could be as high as 78%.
What glasses do I need to watch the solar eclipse?
You need special eyewear to observe the partial eclipse, otherwise you risk retinal damage due to the light from the sun’s surface visible before or after totality as you stare up. Glasses labeled “ISO 12312-2” ensure the eyewear’s safety and quality
Those who cannot procure a pair of solar eclipse glasses can construct a pin projector from common household objects. NASA provides instructions on its website.
USA TODAY reporters James Powel and Amaris Encinas contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Will Wednesday’s solar eclipse be visible in Iowa? See forecast
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
