August 2026 Solar Eclipse – What to Know About Viewing in Louisiana

(KMDL-FM) Mother Nature has planned a celestial event that some of us mere mortals on Earth will be able to view on August 12th. According to EarthSky, the peak of the partial solar eclipse for that day will occur at 17:45 UTC. In case you don't speak Universal Time, that translates to 11:45 in the morning Central Daylight Time.

When it comes to eclipses, two garner the most attention because they involve the sun and the moon. In the case of a solar eclipse, which is what portions of the country and the Earth will experience on August 12th, the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and blocks the Sun's light from reaching the Earth's surface in a highly concentrated shadow.

eclipse photography

This is also the eclipse where the potential for eye damage is most prevalent because you are staring directly at the sun, which is never a good thing to do. If you do want to experience the eclipse on August 12th, you'll need to make arrangements for some special viewing equipment.

But the special viewing equipment might be the least of your worries if you live in Louisiana and the Gulf South. Because our part of the country is not in the path of totality as far as the eclipse is concerned.

Where Are The Best Viewing Spots in the USA for the August 12, 2026 Solar Eclipse?

We aren't even in the path of partiality. The states that will offer the best viewing opportunities on August 12th are Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.

Where Are The Best Places on Earth to See the August 12, 2026 Eclipse?

Maybe Louisiana's best connection for eclipse viewing in August would be Greenland. Isn't Governor Landry the assistant king or something up there? Okay, I'm just kidding about that, but Greenland, Siberia, Iceland, and parts of Europe will also offer prime viewing.

group of people sitting on car while watching air show

You probably remember the last time we all got pretty hyped up about an eclipse, don't you? Well, let's hope our photography skills have improved. Want proof?

READ MORE: Historically Bad Eclipse Photos from Louisiana's Last Eclipse

It looks as if Louisiana's next best chance to be eclipsed via a solar eclipse will come on August 12th, a few years down the road. Based on what we've discovered, it will be August 12, 2045.

READ MORE: Louisiana Sees the Northern Lights in Rare Celestial Appearance

Other partial eclipses might be viewed in and around the area on January 26, 2028, January 14, 2029, November 14, 2031, and March 30, 2033.