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Solar & Lunar Eclipses

Eclipses

Upcoming solar and lunar eclipses with live countdowns, visibility details, and links to NASA interactive maps.

Next Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
161
Days
22
Hours
20
Min
19
Sec

Upcoming Eclipses

Total Solar Eclipse
August 12, 2026
The Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the corona. Visible only along the narrow path of totality.
View NASA Interactive Map →
Partial Lunar Eclipse
August 28, 2026
Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon. The shadowed portion appears dark or reddish.
Annular Solar Eclipse
February 6, 2027
The Moon is too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, creating a 'ring of fire' effect.
View NASA Interactive Map →
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
February 20, 2027
The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow. A subtle darkening, often hard to notice.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
July 18, 2027
The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow. A subtle darkening, often hard to notice.
Total Solar Eclipse
August 2, 2027
The Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the corona. Visible only along the narrow path of totality.
View NASA Interactive Map →
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
August 17, 2027
The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow. A subtle darkening, often hard to notice.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
January 12, 2028
Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon. The shadowed portion appears dark or reddish.

Understanding Eclipse Types

An eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align. In a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet. In a lunar eclipse, Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the lunar surface.

Solar Eclipses

Solar eclipses only happen during a new moon, when the Moon is directly between the Sun and Earth. They are rare at any given location because the Moon's shadow is narrow, sweeping a path just 100–250 km wide across the planet. Never look directly at a solar eclipse without certified eclipse glasses or a solar filter.

Total Solar Eclipse
The Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the corona. Visible only along the narrow path of totality.
Annular Solar Eclipse
The Moon is too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, creating a 'ring of fire' effect.
Partial Solar Eclipse
The Moon covers part of the Sun. Visible over a wide area but no totality or ring.

Lunar Eclipses

Lunar eclipses happen during a full moon, when Earth sits between the Sun and Moon. Unlike solar eclipses, they are visible from anywhere on the night side of Earth and are perfectly safe to watch with the naked eye. A total lunar eclipse can turn the Moon a dramatic red — the famous “Blood Moon” effect caused by Earth's atmosphere bending sunlight into the shadow.

Total Lunar Eclipse
Earth's shadow fully covers the Moon, often turning it a deep red — a 'Blood Moon.'
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon. The shadowed portion appears dark or reddish.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
The Moon passes through Earth's faint outer shadow. A subtle darkening, often hard to notice.
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