Skywatchers are in for a double treat this August.
For those in the eclipse viewing path, a total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 will be followed just 15 days later by a partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27-28, offering two opportunities to view eclipses in the same month. The paired events will offer different viewing experiences, from the dramatic daytime darkness of a total solar eclipse to the soft dimming of the Moon during a lunar eclipse, according to NASA.
Eclipses occur globally about four to seven times each year, NASA says. Because of the alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon, they can occur in pairs during a short period known as an “eclipse season.” Solar eclipses can occur two to five times per year, while lunar eclipses can occur anywhere from zero to three times annually, according to EarthSky.
The last solar and lunar eclipses to occur during the same eclipse season took place in February of this year.
Here’s what to know about these two celestial events.
First up, a total solar eclipse
Parts of the United States, from Alaska to North Carolina, will be among the locations in the Northern Hemisphere where viewers will have the opportunity to see a portion of the solar eclipse, according to NASA.
“Many other places in the Northern Hemisphere will experience a partial solar eclipse that day, including parts of the northern U.S. (from Alaska to North Carolina), most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa.” NASA says.
Countries within the eclipse’s path of totality will include Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, parts of the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small portion of Portugal, according to NASA.
If your location or cloudy skies prevent you from seeing the total lunar eclipse, you can still watch the celestial spectacle online. NASA will livestream the event beginning at 1:15 p.m. EDT on Aug. 12 via NASA’s live site.
What happens during a total solar eclipse?
For viewers along the path of totality, the Moon completely obscures the Sun. The sky darkens to twilight, exposing the Sun’s corona and sometimes revealing stars and planets as temperatures briefly cool.
Be sure to protect your eyes if viewing a solar eclipse
It’s never safe to look at the sun with the naked eye. A solar eclipse can expose your eyes to possibly harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without proper eye protection, you can suffer “eclipse blindness” within seconds of staring at the sun, according to the American Optometric Association.
If you buy eclipse glasses, be sure they are made by companies the American Astronomical Society and NASA have certified as safe. The glasses should have the “ISO” (International Organization for Standardization) icon. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.
What to know about the Partial lunar eclipse
Unlike the solar eclipse, this eclipse will be visible across the entire United States.
On Aug. 27-28, the Moon will pass into Earth’s shadow, creating a partial lunar eclipse, the first visible from the Americas since September 2024, according to NASA. This year’s eclipse will last a total of 5 hours and 38 minutes, TimeandDate says, with its darkest stage, known as the umbral phase, lasting 3 hours and 18 minutes.
Where the partial lunar eclipse will be visible
What happens during a partial lunar eclipse?
During a partial lunar eclipse, only part of the Moon enters Earth’s inner shadow because the Sun, Earth and Moon are not perfectly aligned. This casts a dark, reddish shadow across a section of the Moon, leaving the rest illuminated. As the Moon slips into Earth’s shadow, about 96.2% of its surface will be shrouded in darkness, according to TimeandDate.
Path the moon will take
This animation shows the Moon’s path through Earth’s shadow. Most of the Moon will be obscured, with only a thin sliver remaining outside the shadow, giving the lunar surface an eerie red glow.
What time will the partial lunar eclipse occur?
CONTRIBUTING Iris Seaton, USA TODAY NETWORK