August 2026 Sky Features Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse and Perseids

The night skies of August 2026 offer one of the busiest months of the year for astronomy enthusiasts.

Partial Solar Eclipse and Regional Visibility on August 12

While a total solar eclipse crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and northern Spain on Wednesday, August 12, observers across North America and Europe will experience partial phases. In the Washington, D.C., region, a partial solar eclipse will begin at 1:17 p.m. and conclude at 2:27 p.m., obscuring about 1 percent of the sun, according to WTOP’s Eyes to the Skies feature.

Farther north, 26 U.S. states—primarily in the Northeast—will catch a daytime partial eclipse. Northern Maine will experience the deepest continental U.S. coverage at up to 28 percent, while much of New England and New York will see between 10 and 20 percent of the sun obscured.

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The Perseid Meteor Shower Peak Under Dark Skies

The Perseid meteor shower reaches its annual climax overnight on August 12 and 13. Because the new moon coincides with the event, moonlight will not interfere with the display, creating optimal viewing conditions.

Under dark conditions, observers could see 80 to 100 meteors per hour, making this the finest meteor display of 2026.

The combination of dark skies and high hourly rates makes this year’s Perseids one of the finest meteor displays of the decade, accompanied by clear views of the Milky Way arching overhead.

Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse at Month’s End

The month concludes with a deep partial lunar eclipse on the night of August 27 into early August 28. During this event, 96% of the full moon enters Earth’s shadow, creating the classic copper coloration associated with eclipsed moons. In the D.C. region, the Sturgeon Moon undergoes this eclipse starting at 9:23 p.m. on August 27 and ending at 3:01 a.m. on August 28, with the maximum coverage occurring shortly after midnight.