Nova Scotians to see partial solar eclipse on Aug. 12
Posted Aug 11, 2026 12:43:01 PM.
Last Updated Aug 11, 2026 12:43:06 PM.
Nova Scotians should be able to — with protective eyewear — look up on Wednesday and see about half of the sun covered.
On Aug. 12 the province, along with the rest of the Atlantic coast will be the only ones in Canada able to see a true partial solar eclipse, which is when the moon covers half the sun.
It’s set to begin at 1:54 p.m. and last about two hours until 4:04 p.m.
Special eclipse glasses are crucial, even if a morsel of sun is showing.
Further west from Halifax, like Montreal and Ottawa, the amount the moon covering the sun decreases, making it only slightly visible. Monrealers will see about an 18 per cent bite out of the sun, tapering to 12 per cent for the nation’s capital.
Adding to the cosmic wonder, Wednesday begins with six of our neighboring planets forming an arc in the sky before dawn and ends with the Perseid meteor shower peaking after nightfall under the new moon, according to the Associated Press. Streaking meteors could photobomb, with some of the brighter planets and stars visible in the background.
The forecast for Nova Scotia is promising for those who want to celebrate the celestial event. According to Environment Canada, Wednesday’s forecast shows mainly sunny skies.
It’s expected to be hot, with a high of 26 C feeling more like 29, in Halifax.
The total eclipse will be seen on mainland Spain, as the darkness moves across the Iberian Peninsula close to sunset — plus slivers of Greenland and Iceland — as the sun, moon and Earth align perfectly in the sky.
With files from Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press
