Meteor Showers, Eclipses, and More Are on the August 2026 Astronomical Calendar
Here’s when some of this year’s most anticipated astronomical events will happen and the best way to observe them.
Get ready for an exciting August 2026 as the astronomical calendar is packed with celestial events to observe. The Perseid Meteor Shower will peak on the night of Wednesday, August 12, providing an exceptional opportunity to view meteors streaking across the sky due to Earth passing through Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle's trail of particles. This shower will stand out even more because it will coincide with the new moon, resulting in exceptionally dark skies.
The main astronomical event of the month will be a total solar eclipse with the path of totality crossing a sliver of Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Greenland. Those in the path will witness the Sun's low position above the horizon, creating a unique and photogenic scene. Madrid, along with regions in Galicia, Asturias, Castile and León, Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, will be in the path of totality.
Outside the eclipse path, a partial eclipse will still be visible. NASA and the European Space Agency will broadcast the event live, advising against staring directly at the Sun during the observation.
In addition to the meteor shower and solar eclipse, an alignment of six planets will take place in the early morning hours of August 12. Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune will form an apparent line in the sky. This alignment will be more challenging to observe than the meteor shower, but Mercury, Mars, and Saturn might be visible with the naked eye near the horizon shortly before sunrise. To see Uranus and Neptune, a telescope will be required.
The month will conclude with a partial lunar eclipse on August 27, covering up to 96 percent of the moon's disk. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be seen from a larger region of the planet, making it visible across virtually the entirety of the Americas. The partial lunar eclipse will require no special eye protection; just find a dark spot, away from light pollution, for an enjoyable stargazing experience.
Written by urgent.news from Wired Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
