The big question

When Is the Next Eclipse?

A complete, NASA-data-backed calendar of every solar and lunar eclipse from 2026 through 2030, with dates, exact times in UTC and global visibility.

Short answer
The next eclipse is the total lunar eclipse of March 3, 2026 (11:33–15:18 UTC), visible from the Americas, eastern Asia, Australia and the Pacific. The next eclipse visible from populated land is the annular solar eclipse of February 17, 2026 (Antarctica only); the next major solar event is the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, crossing Iceland and the north of Spain.

Upcoming eclipses 2026

Date (UTC)TypeVisibility
Feb 17, 2026Annular SolarAntarctica only
Mar 3, 2026Total LunarAmericas, E Asia, Australia, Pacific · totality 58 min
Aug 12, 2026Total SolarGreenland, Iceland, N Spain · totality up to 2 min 18 s
Aug 28, 2026Partial LunarAmericas, Europe, Africa, W Asia

The headline event of the year is the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026 — the first total solar eclipse over mainland Europe since 1999. The path of totality enters western Iceland, crosses the Atlantic, hits A Coruña in northwest Spain at 18:28 UTC and sweeps east through Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca before exiting over the Balearic Sea.

Upcoming eclipses 2027

Date (UTC)TypeVisibility
Feb 6, 2027Annular SolarS Pacific, Argentina, Chile, S Atlantic
Feb 20, 2027Penumbral LunarAmericas, Europe, Africa
Jul 18, 2027Penumbral LunarPacific, Americas
Aug 2, 2027Total SolarSpain, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia · totality up to 6 min 23 s
Aug 17, 2027Penumbral LunarE Africa, Asia, Australia

The August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse is the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114 — up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of totality near Luxor, Egypt. The path also crosses Cádiz in southern Spain (~2 min of totality), giving southern Spain its second total solar eclipse in less than a year.

Upcoming eclipses 2028

Date (UTC)TypeVisibility
Jan 26, 2028Annular SolarGalápagos, Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana, Spain, Portugal · annularity ~10 min
Feb 10, 2028Penumbral LunarAmericas, Europe, Africa
Jul 22, 2028Total SolarAustralia (Sydney), New Zealand · totality up to 5 min 10 s
Dec 31, 2028Total LunarEurope, Africa, Asia, Australia · totality 1 h 11 min

Upcoming eclipses 2029 & 2030

Date (UTC)TypeVisibility
Jan 14, 2029Partial SolarN America, Mexico
Jun 12, 2029Partial SolarArctic, N Europe
Jun 26, 2029Total LunarWorldwide except E Australia · totality 1 h 42 min
Dec 5, 2029Partial SolarS America, Antarctica
Dec 20, 2029Total LunarAmericas, Europe, Africa · totality 54 min
Jun 1, 2030Annular SolarAlgeria, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Russia, China, Japan · annularity ~5 min
Jun 15, 2030Partial LunarAsia, Australia, Pacific, Americas
Nov 25, 2030Total SolarS Africa, Indian Ocean, Australia · totality up to 3 min 44 s
Dec 9, 2030Penumbral LunarAmericas, Europe, Africa

How eclipses work

Solar vs lunar — the 30-second version

A solar eclipse happens at new Moon, when the Moon passes exactly between the Sun and Earth and its shadow sweeps a narrow strip across the planet. A lunar eclipse happens at full Moon, when Earth sits between the Sun and the Moon and our shadow falls onto the lunar surface. Solar eclipses are local — visible only along the Moon's shadow path. Lunar eclipses are global — visible from every part of Earth where the Moon is above the horizon.

Four types of solar eclipse

Partial: outside the central path, observers see only a bite taken out of the Sun. Hybrid: rare; the same eclipse appears total along part of the path and annular along the rest." data-es="Total: la Luna cubre completamente al Sol. Sólo dura de unos segundos a unos pocos minutos, visible en una franja de unos 100–250 km de ancho. La corona solar se vuelve visible. Anular: la Luna está demasiado lejos de la Tierra para cubrir todo el Sol, dejando un anillo brillante (\"anillo de fuego\"). Parcial: fuera de la franja central, sólo se ve un mordisco al Sol. Híbrido: poco común; el mismo eclipse aparece total en una parte de la franja y anular en el resto.">Total: the Moon fully covers the Sun. Only a few seconds to a few minutes long, visible inside a narrow band roughly 100–250 km wide. The corona becomes visible. Annular: the Moon is too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring ("ring of fire"). Partial: outside the central path, observers see only a bite taken out of the Sun. Hybrid: rare; the same eclipse appears total along part of the path and annular along the rest.

Three types of lunar eclipse

Partial: only part of the Moon enters the umbra; the rest stays grey. Penumbral: the Moon passes only through Earth's faint outer shadow (penumbra), producing a subtle dimming that most observers do not notice." data-es="Total: la Luna pasa íntegramente por la sombra profunda de la Tierra (umbra) y se vuelve rojo óxido — la famosa \"luna de sangre\". Parcial: sólo parte de la Luna entra en la umbra; el resto se mantiene gris. Penumbral: la Luna pasa sólo por la sombra exterior tenue de la Tierra (penumbra), produciendo un oscurecimiento sutil que la mayoría no nota.">Total: the Moon passes fully into Earth's deep shadow (umbra) and turns rust-red — the famous "blood moon". Partial: only part of the Moon enters the umbra; the rest stays grey. Penumbral: the Moon passes only through Earth's faint outer shadow (penumbra), producing a subtle dimming that most observers do not notice.


How to watch safely

Solar eclipses are dangerous to view without protection. The Sun's light can permanently damage the retina even when 99% of its surface is covered. Always use eclipse glasses certified to ISO 12312-2, or a properly filtered telescope. The only moment it is safe to look at the Sun unaided is during the brief seconds or minutes of totality — and only inside the narrow path of totality. The instant the first sliver of Sun reappears, glasses go back on. Never use ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, photographic film negatives or improvised filters.

Lunar eclipses are completely safe. Watch with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. The red colour of a total lunar eclipse comes from sunlight refracted through Earth's atmosphere — the same physics that makes sunsets red, projected onto the Moon.


Frequently asked questions

How often do eclipses happen?
Earth sees between 4 and 7 eclipses every year — usually 2 solar and 2 lunar, sometimes more. A total solar eclipse happens somewhere on the planet roughly every 18 months. But at any given location on Earth, a total solar eclipse is a once-in-375-years event on average.
What is the longest total solar eclipse this decade?
The August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, with up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of totality near Luxor, Egypt. It is the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114.
When is the next total solar eclipse over the United States?
After the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, the next one over the contiguous United States is August 23, 2044 (Montana, North Dakota) — a 20-year wait. There is a longer total solar eclipse on August 12, 2045, crossing California to Florida with up to 6 minutes of totality.
Do I need eclipse glasses for a lunar eclipse?
No. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the unaided eye, binoculars or a telescope. ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are only required for solar eclipses.
What is a blood moon?
total lunar eclipse. When the Moon enters Earth's deep shadow, the only sunlight reaching it has been filtered through our atmosphere — the same red light that paints sunsets. The Moon turns a deep rusty red for the duration of totality (often an hour or more)." data-es="\"Luna de sangre\" es el nombre popular del eclipse lunar total. Cuando la Luna entra en la sombra profunda de la Tierra, la única luz solar que la alcanza ha sido filtrada por nuestra atmósfera — la misma luz rojiza que tiñe los atardeceres. La Luna se vuelve rojo óxido durante toda la totalidad (a menudo más de una hora)."> "Blood moon" is the popular name for a total lunar eclipse. When the Moon enters Earth's deep shadow, the only sunlight reaching it has been filtered through our atmosphere — the same red light that paints sunsets. The Moon turns a deep rusty red for the duration of totality (often an hour or more).
Can I take photos of an eclipse with my phone?
For a lunar eclipse, yes — modern phones in night mode produce surprisingly good results. For a solar eclipse, you must put a certified solar filter over the lens, or you risk burning the camera sensor (and, more importantly, your eye if you compose through the screen for too long without eclipse glasses).
How do I get a live countdown to the next eclipse?
Next-Eclipse.com shows a live countdown to the next eclipse on the homepage, plus exact times by city, visibility maps and viewing tips. The whole site is free, ad-supported and updated with NASA GSFC data." data-es="Next-Eclipse.com muestra una cuenta atrás en vivo del próximo eclipse en la home, además de horas exactas por ciudad, mapas de visibilidad y consejos de observación. El sitio es gratuito, financiado por anuncios y actualizado con datos de la NASA GSFC.">Next-Eclipse.com shows a live countdown to the next eclipse on the homepage, plus exact times by city, visibility maps and viewing tips. The whole site is free, ad-supported and updated with NASA GSFC data.

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