NASA August 2026 Skywatching Guide
NASA
- August 2026 features a total solar eclipse, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, Venus reaching greatest eastern elongation, and a deep partial lunar eclipse.
August 2026 Skywatching Schedule
- Aug. 5: Last Quarter Moon.
- Aug. 12: Total solar eclipse visible across northern Russia, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and parts of Portugal; partial visibility across portions of the U.S.
- Aug. 12-13: Perseid meteor shower peak.
- Aug. 14-16: Venus reaches greatest eastern elongation, appearing low in the western sky after sunset.
- Aug. 27-28: Partial lunar eclipse visible from North and South America, as well as parts of Europe and Africa.
Celestial Events Details
- Solar Eclipse (Aug. 12): Requires certified eclipse glasses or safe solar viewers. Never view through binoculars, telescopes, or cameras without specialized solar filters.
- Perseid Meteor Shower: Caused by Earth passing through the debris stream of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Best viewed from a dark, open location after the constellation Perseus clears the horizon, allowing 30 minutes for eye adjustment.
- Venus: Reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun during its evening appearance. Through a telescope, it will appear roughly half-lit.
- Lunar Eclipse (Aug. 27-28): Approximately 93% of the Moon's diameter will enter Earth's umbra. It is safe to view with the naked eye, though binoculars can enhance the view of the Earth's shadow.