The 2026 astronomical calendar features only four eclipses. But August is a bounty of riches, with two set to occur.
News
They include a full solar eclipse on August 12 and a partial lunar eclipse on August 27 and 28. Catch one—or both—of these eclipses if you can: They’ll be the last ones of 2026, as the other two have already taken place.
We’ve got all the details on what to expect, the path of each August eclipse, and how to watch the celestial happenings.
Solar Eclipse on August 12
Details
The first eclipse of the month will be a total solar eclipse. This occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The August solar eclipse will be visible in the northern hemisphere.
Path: The moon’s shadow will travel from west to east, beginning in the Arctic. Parts of Alaska will be treated to a partial view of the eclipse, as well as other northerly locations including Canada, Iceland, and parts of the North Atlantic. Some locations in Europe and the eastern US will also get a glimpse of the eclipse.
Only a few areas on land will get to see totality, though. Sparsely populated stretches of eastern Greenland will see the sun completely obscured, as will the far western edge of Iceland. Spain is the most populated region in the path of totality. It’s the first time the Iberian Peninsula will be treated to a full solar eclipse in more than a century.
Analysis
How to view it: For one, not with your naked eye! For areas in the path of totality, the eclipse will reach its peak in the late afternoon. That’s an idea and dramatic time for viewing, when the sun is low on the horizon. Again, just not with your naked eye!
Times vary slightly by city, but in almost all of Spain the eclipse will occur at sunset, with totality around 8:30 pm Central European Time. From start to finish, the eclipse will last about an hour; totality is expected to last about two minutes.
Lunar Eclipse on August 27–28
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