There Are 2 Eclipses This August. Here’s How to See Them

The 2026 astronomical calendar features only four eclipses. But August is a bounty of riches, with two set to occur. 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 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. 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 The second eclipse of the month will be a partial lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon. A portion of the lunar surface will remain lit while the rest of the disk darkens or takes on a reddish hue. Path: Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse does not follow a narrow path across the Earth. The partial lunar eclipse will be visible simultaneously across a vast region of the planet. However, the eclipse will be best viewed across the Americas, primarily in eastern and central Canada, the US, and Mexico, as well as throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. While the eclipse is partial, up to 96 percent of the lunar disk will be in the Earth’s shadow, making for a dramatic view. How to view it: In the Americas, the eclipse will begin in the late hours of August 27 and last until the early morning of August 28. For example, in Mexico City, the partial phase will begin at 8:30 pm local time, the peak will occur around 10:13 pm, and the partial phase will end at 11:53 pm. To view it, you just need to be in an area with clear skies and minimal light pollution. The farther you are from a major city, the better. This story originally appeared on WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.