| Global Event: | Total Solar Eclipse |
|---|---|
| Local Type: | Partial Solar Eclipse in Chicago, Illinois |
| Begins: | Wed, Aug 12, 2026 at 12:16 pm |
| Maximum: | Wed, Aug 12, 2026 at 12:28 pm 0.010 Magnitude |
| Ends: | Wed, Aug 12, 2026 at 12:40 pm |
| Duration: | 23 minutes |
All times shown on this page are local time. | |
August 12, 2026 — Total Solar Eclipse — Chicago
The animation shows what the eclipse approximately looks like in Chicago. Stages and times of the eclipse are outlined below. All times are local time (CDT) for Chicago.
| Phase | Time | Event | Direction | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12:16:40 Wed, Aug 12 | Partial eclipse beginsThe moment the edge of the Moon touches the edge of the Sun is called first contact. | 160° | 61.6° | |
|
12:28:21 Wed, Aug 12 | Maximum eclipseThe deepest point of the eclipse, with the Sun at its most hidden. | 166° | 62.3° | |
|
12:40:01 Wed, Aug 12 | Partial eclipse endsThe edge of the Moon leaves the edge of the Sun. | 172° | 62.7° |
* Timings for the beginning & end of partial eclipse and maximum eclipse are accurate to within a few seconds. This calculation uses a Delta T value of 69.6 seconds.
Timings for other events are approximate—they are included here as a rough guide to features that might be observable. The icons show the position of the Moon against the Sun at each stage.
How to use altitude & direction to find in the sky
The total phase of this solar eclipse is not visible in Chicago, but it can be observed there as a partial solar eclipse. The Moon covers only a small portion of the Sun.
Where to See the Eclipse
Try our new interactive eclipse maps. Zoom in and search for accurate eclipse times and visualizations for any location.
Cloud Coverage (Aug 12)
In the past, this day was cloudy 54% of the time (since 2000).
Countdown until eclipse begins
499Days 20Hrs 23Mins 11SecsSolar Eclipses
- When Is the Next Solar Eclipse?
- Different Types of Eclipses
- What Are Solar Eclipses?
- How Often Do Solar Eclipses Occur?
- Total Solar Eclipses
- What Happens at a Total Solar Eclipse?
- Partial Solar Eclipses
- Annular Solar Eclipses
- What Happens at an Annular Eclipse?
- Hybrid Solar Eclipses
- Eclipse Seasons
- Solar Eclipses in History
- Solar Eclipse Myths
- Magnitude of Eclipses
- Accuracy of Our Eclipse Calculations
Protect Your Eyes! Find out how to safely watch solar eclipses here
Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. You can seriously hurt your eyes, and even go blind… read more
Eclipses and Transits Visible in Chicago
| Eclipse Visibility From Chicago | Visibility Worldwide | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 3, 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse | Total Lunar Eclipse |  | |
| Aug 12, 2026 Partial Solar Eclipse | Total Solar Eclipse |  | |
| Aug 27–28, 2026 Partial Lunar Eclipse | Partial Lunar Eclipse |  | |
| Feb 20, 2027 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse | Penumbral Lunar Eclipse |  | |
| Aug 17, 2027 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse | Penumbral Lunar Eclipse |  | |
Note: Click on the date link for details in Chicago, or the path map image for global details. Currently shown eclipse is highlighted. | |||
Next total solar eclipse visible in Chicago