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.
The astronomical calendar for August 2026 is packed with celestial events worth observing. One of the most notable events is the Perseid Meteor Shower, occurring on the night of August 12. It coincides with a new moon, meaning the sky will be dark and perfect for viewing. The meteors will seem to come from the constellation Perseus, though they can appear anywhere in the sky.
A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Greenland on the same day. This eclipse will be the first total eclipse seen in the Iberian Peninsula in over a century. From Madrid to the regions of Galicia, Asturias, Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, the total eclipse will be visible.
For observers outside the path of totality, a partial eclipse will still be seen. Live broadcasts of the eclipse will be provided by NASA and the European Space Agency. On the morning of August 12, early risers can witness an alignment of six planets: Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune. This planetary alignment will be visible shortly before sunrise.
A partial lunar eclipse will conclude the month on August 27, observable from most of the Americas. This eclipse will cover up to 96 percent of the moon's disk. Observing a lunar eclipse requires no special eye protection, just a dark location away from light pollution.
Written by urgent.news from Wired's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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