Top astronomy events for August 2026
The month of August will feature one of the best meteor showers of the year and a total solar eclipse over Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Greenland.
This week, stargazers got a glimpse of a total solar eclipse as the moon moved in front of the sun, and space experts say there’s more to come at the end of the month.
Experts at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Old Farmer’s Almanac have called for more eclipses this year and in 2027, including a partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.
For most of North America, the lunar eclipse will fall on Thursday, Aug. 27, while those in the Eastern time zone will see the maximum eclipse just after midnight on Friday, Aug. 28.
Most of North America will be able to see the partial lunar eclipse, the website said, noting that what viewers see will vary by location.
While the eclipse will last more than five hours, the part stargazers most want to see will last about 3 hours and 18 minutes, the almanac said.
Here’s what we know about the upcoming space phenomenon.
What’s the date of the next eclipse?
There are four lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses expected between now and August 2027, according to NASA. One solar eclipse is slated for February 2027, and another, this time a total solar eclipse, is expected in August 2027.
Those wanting to see some space activity sooner have a lunar eclipse to look forward to at the end of August. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the sun and the full moon. The Earth’s shadow, called an umbra, is cast across the moon’s surface, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The Earth’s shadow dims the moon, which sometimes bears a red hue for a few hours, according to NASA. The late August lunar eclipse may appear orange-yellow, coppery red, chocolate brown or ashen gray, depending on atmospheric dust, volcanic activity and other conditions, the almanac said.
Stargazers will see the partial lunar eclipse on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28. About 96% of the moon’s face will be covered, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What time should I look up?
The almanac said the eclipse’s early stages may begin before the moon rises on Aug. 27 in parts of the western U.S. Those wanting to check their local moonrise times can use the almanac’s online tool.
The eclipse will reach its maximum at:
- 12:12 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 28
- 11:12 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
- 10:12 p.m. MDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
- 9:12 p.m. PDT on Thursday, Aug. 27
Who will be able to see it?
People across the central and eastern U.S. will be able to see the partial lunar eclipse, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. During the maximum eclipse, most of North America will be able to see it, minus northwestern Canada and Alaska.
Here’s a breakdown of how things will look in the United States:
- Parts of Washington, Oregon and Northern California: When the sun sets and the moon rises, the partial eclipse will already be visible. Stargazers in these areas should find a location with an unobstructed view toward the eastern horizon.
- Pacific Northwest and Northern California: The rising moon will look like someone has taken a bite out of its lower-left edge.
- Hawaii: When the moon rises, about two-thirds of it will be covered. The maximum eclipse will already have passed, and the moon will be moving out of Earth’s shadow.
Those wanting to see it won’t need special equipment, the almanac said. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye.
“Binoculars or a small telescope can make the colors and contrasts more striking, but the eclipse will be visible to the unaided eye,” the almanac wrote.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.