Amateur astronomers use eclipse calculators to plan viewing trips. The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 will be visible from Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain. Knowing this years in advance allows time to book travel and lodging, which sell out quickly along the path of totality.
Photographers use eclipse data to prepare equipment and location plans. A total solar eclipse requires solar filters for the camera during partial phases and removal of filters during totality. Knowing the exact date and type of eclipse months ahead gives time to acquire the right gear.
Science teachers use eclipse information to plan lessons and viewing events. The total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026 will be visible across North America, making it a good opportunity for school viewing parties. Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special equipment.
Travel agencies use eclipse dates to create eclipse tourism packages. The August 2026 total solar eclipse in Spain has already generated significant tourism interest. Hotels along the path of totality in northern Spain were booking up more than a year in advance.
Space enthusiasts track eclipse seasons, which occur roughly every 173 days when the Sun-Earth-Moon geometry allows eclipses to happen. Each eclipse season typically produces one solar and one lunar eclipse, sometimes two of one type.
Eclipses occur when the Moon's orbit brings it into alignment with the Sun and Earth. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth's surface. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
Solar eclipses are classified as total (the Moon completely covers the Sun), annular (the Moon appears too small to fully cover the Sun, leaving a ring of light visible), partial (the Moon covers only part of the Sun), or hybrid (the eclipse transitions between total and annular along its path).
Lunar eclipses are classified as total (the Moon passes entirely through Earth's dark umbral shadow), partial (only part of the Moon enters the umbral shadow), or penumbral (the Moon passes through Earth's lighter outer shadow, causing a subtle dimming).
The calculator shows eclipses for a selected year. Each eclipse entry includes the date, type, subtype (total, annular, or partial), magnitude (the fraction of the Sun or Moon covered), and a general visibility description. The visibility checker estimates whether an eclipse is visible from a selected city.
Input
February 17, 2026
Output
Annular Solar Eclipse
Visible from East Antarctica, southern Argentina and Chile, and southern Africa. Not visible from North America or Europe.
Input
March 3, 2026
Output
Total Lunar Eclipse
Visible across North and South America, eastern Asia, and Australia. Totality lasts about 59 minutes (6:04am to 7:03am EST). Best viewed from central and western North America.
Input
August 12, 2026
Output
Total Solar Eclipse
Totality visible from Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and a small part of northern Portugal. Partial eclipse visible from parts of Canada, Alaska, northern US, and much of Europe. First total solar eclipse in continental Europe since 1999.
Input
August 27-28, 2026
Output
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Magnitude 0.93, nearly total. Visible from North and South America, western Europe, and Africa. A deep partial eclipse where almost the entire Moon enters Earth's shadow.
Things to watch out for
What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. Solar eclipses happen during a new moon, lunar eclipses during a full moon.
How often do eclipses occur?
There are typically 2 to 5 eclipses per year, including both solar and lunar. Eclipses come in seasons that repeat roughly every 173 days. In 2026, there are exactly 4 eclipses: 2 solar (February 17 annular, August 12 total) and 2 lunar (March 3 total, August 28 partial).
What are the types of solar eclipses?
Total: the Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the solar corona. Annular: the Moon is too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, leaving a ring (annulus) of sunlight visible. Partial: the Moon covers only part of the Sun. Hybrid: the eclipse transitions between total and annular along its path, which is rare.
Can I see an eclipse from anywhere in the world?
No. Each eclipse is only visible from specific geographic regions. A total solar eclipse is visible from a narrow path of totality, typically 100 to 200 km wide. Partial solar eclipses have wider visibility. Lunar eclipses are visible from anywhere on the night side of Earth where the Moon is above the horizon.
When is the next total solar eclipse visible from North America?
After the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, the next one visible from parts of North America is August 12, 2026, but only as a partial eclipse from the northern US, Alaska, and Canada. The next total solar eclipse to cross the contiguous United States will be on August 12, 2045.
Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse?
Never look directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse without proper solar filters, except during the brief period of totality in a total solar eclipse. Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector. Regular sunglasses, smoked glass, and unfiltered cameras or telescopes can cause permanent eye damage. Lunar eclipses are safe to view without any protection.
What does eclipse magnitude mean?
Magnitude measures the fraction of the Sun or Moon's diameter that is covered during an eclipse. For a solar eclipse, a magnitude of 1.0 means the Sun is completely covered (total eclipse). For a lunar eclipse, magnitude measures how deeply the Moon enters Earth's shadow. The August 28, 2026 lunar eclipse has a magnitude of 0.93, meaning it is a deep partial eclipse, nearly total.
Eclipse dates and types are based on published NASA and EclipseWise predictions for 2026. The visibility checker uses a simplified model and should not be relied upon for precise viewing planning. For accurate local visibility times, consult NASA's eclipse website or specialized eclipse prediction tools. Eclipse magnitude values shown are approximate.