Two Eclipses in August: How to Catch Them
August 2026 brings the year's final two eclipses — a total solar eclipse on August 12 and a partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28. Here's what to know about visibility and safe viewing.
Only four eclipses are on the 2026 astronomical calendar, and two are packed into August. The first is a total solar eclipse on August 12, followed by a partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28. Since the other two eclipses of the year have already happened, these are the last chances to witness one in 2026.
Solar eclipse on August 12
The solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. It will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere. The Moon's shadow will travel from west to east, starting in the Arctic. Partial views should be possible in parts of Alaska, Canada, Iceland, parts of the North Atlantic, and some locations in Europe and the eastern United States.
Totality, however, will be confined to a few land areas. Sparsely populated parts of eastern Greenland and the far western edge of Iceland will see the Sun completely blocked. Spain sits in the path of totality as the most populated region — the first full solar eclipse visible from the Iberian Peninsula in more than a century.
Viewers should never look at the Sun with the naked eye. In areas within the path of totality, the eclipse will peak in the late afternoon, offering a dramatic view with the Sun low on the horizon. In most of Spain, the eclipse will occur at sunset, with totality around 8:30 pm Central European Time. The entire event lasts about an hour, and totality is expected to last about two minutes.
Lunar eclipse on August 27–28
The second eclipse of the month is a partial lunar eclipse, which happens when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. Part of the lunar surface will remain lit, while the rest darkens or takes on a reddish hue.
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse does not follow a narrow path across the planet. This partial lunar eclipse will be visible simultaneously over a vast region, with the best views expected in the Americas — primarily eastern and central Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Although partial, up to 96 percent of the lunar disk will fall into Earth's shadow, creating a striking sight.
