ORONO, Maine — Mainers will have a rare opportunity to watch the moon partially cover the sun on Aug. 12, creating what looks like a dark bite taken out of the solar disk.

The partial solar eclipse will be visible throughout Maine around midday, weather permitting. The event is especially notable because another solar eclipse will not appear in Maine’s sky until 2045.

When can Mainers see the eclipse?

In the greater Bangor area, viewers will see the partial eclipse between 12:54 and 2:49 p.m., according to Shawn Laatsch of the University of Maine’s Versant Power Astronomy Center. As much as 23.6% of the sun will be blocked by the moon at the eclipse’s peak at 1:53 p.m., he said.  

“The timings for viewing the maximum across the state will be within a minute or two of each other,” Laatsch said. “Also, the farther north and east you are, the more coverage you’ll see. Caribou will have about 25% of coverage, while Portland will have about 21%.” 

Although Maine is not in the path of totality, residents across the state should still be able to see a noticeable portion of the sun covered by the moon. The path of totality, where the moon will completely block the sun, passes through parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Where can people watch it?

The Versant Power Astronomy Center will welcome members of the public to view the eclipse for free from the Historic Clark Telescope Observatory from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. 

“Because the telescope gives you a magnified view, you’ll probably see some sun spots,” Laatsch said. “We have about 100 solar filter glasses we’ll be selling for $3 a set.” 

People do not need a telescope to experience the eclipse, but they must use eye protection or an indirect viewing method.

How can viewers watch safely?

Viewers should never look directly at the sun during a partial solar eclipse without proper protection, Laatsch said.

Regular sunglasses are not safe. People should use eclipse glasses or filters specifically designed for viewing the sun with cameras, binoculars or telescopes.

Laatsch said people can also safely view the eclipse indirectly by turning their backs to the sun and holding up a collider or piece of paper pierced with a pin-sized hole. The shape of the partially covered sun will then be projected onto the ground or another surface.

“You should never look directly at the sun for more than a second or two without protection,” Laatsch said. “Solar eclipse glasses and solar filters block out 99% of the sun rays.”

What if I miss this solar eclipse?

The next partial solar eclipse in Maine will occur in 2045, Laatsch said. The next total solar eclipse visible in Maine will occur on May 1, 2079.

“People with any interest in astronomy will enjoy seeing this partial solar eclipse, especially if they can’t travel across the world to see the total solar eclipse,” Laatsch said.