Where To See The Partial Solar Eclipse In Michigan This Summer

We are two years out now from the total solar eclipse that covered much of the United States, including a very small part of Michigan. Like most of us in the state who wanted to get the full experience, I traveled down to Ohio to see the eclipse armed with a stockpile of eclipse glasses.

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While the United States won't see another solar eclipse until 2044 or 2045, we'll still get to see a partial solar eclipse in late summer. It won't go from day to night to day like a total eclipse, but some of the sun will still be blocked out. Here's the best place in Michigan to see it.

August 2026 Solar Eclipse

According to NASA, there will be a total solar eclipse on August 12th visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and part of Portugal, while North America, Europe, and Africa will get a partial eclipse. Many of us in Michigan likely will not notice the eclipse unless we're truly looking for it.

READ MORE: Coincidence or More? Hurricane Beryl on Same Path As 2024 Eclipse

Geographically speaking, totality will not be visible to many, as much of the path of totality spans the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. But if you want a view of the partial eclipse, Michigan is in a pretty good spot.

Unlike the last eclipse, where going south would give a better view, this time around, heading north will provide a better view.

Where To View The Eclipse In Michigan

For the best view of this eclipse, you'll want to go as northeast as possible, heading towards Sault Ste. Marie. The eclipse as a whole will last for two hours, but totality will last only two minutes and will obscure only about 7% of the sun, according to the National Solar Observatory, so you'll want to decide whether that is worth the journey.

via NASA:

On all levels, it will not be as exciting an event as 2024, but it's still something. Either way, you will not be able to view the eclipse without a pair of eclipse glasses.

How To Check Your Glasses Are Safe

Buying directly from an approved vendor is the best way to ensure your glasses will be safe for the eclipse. Staring at the sun can permanently damage your eyes, so it's important that the glasses you get properly protect your eyes. Glasses filters should be ISO 12312-2, but how do you know that they're really ISO 12312-2?

The AAS recommends doing three steps to check your glasses:

1. Put them on inside. You shouldn't be able to see anything, except very bright lights. If you can see other things, you should not wear them for the eclipse.
2. If they pass the first test, go outside and look around on a sunny day. You still shouldn't see anything.
3. If you pass the second test, quickly look at the sun. You should see a "round disk", as the AAS calls it. That is the sun. If you can make out the sun without hurting your eyes, you should be safe to view the eclipse.

You can view AAS' full guide to Eclipse Glasses here.