Solar/Lunar Eclipse Countdown

The next total solar eclipse is on August 12, 2026, visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small area of Portugal. A partial eclipse will also be visible across much of Europe, Africa, North America, and surrounding ocean regions. This is considered one of the most anticipated eclipses of the decade.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight and casting a shadow on Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon. Solar eclipses are only visible from a narrow path on Earth, while lunar eclipses can be seen from the entire night-side of Earth.

There are three main types of solar eclipses: total (the Moon completely covers the Sun, visible only within a narrow path), annular (the Moon is too far from Earth to fully cover the Sun, leaving a 'ring of fire'), and partial (the Moon covers only part of the Sun). Each offers a different viewing experience.

Lunar eclipses come in three types: total (the entire Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow, often turning red — called a 'Blood Moon'), partial (only part of the Moon enters the umbra), and penumbral (the Moon passes through Earth's outer shadow, causing a subtle dimming that is harder to notice with the naked eye).

On average, there are 2 to 5 solar eclipses and 2 to 3 lunar eclipses per year worldwide. However, total solar eclipses visible from any given location on Earth occur only about once every 375 years on average. Total lunar eclipses are more frequent, happening roughly once or twice a year somewhere on Earth.

Yes — never look directly at a solar eclipse without certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 standard) or a solar filter for telescopes and binoculars. The only safe time to view with the naked eye is during the brief period of totality in a total solar eclipse. Lunar eclipses, on the other hand, are completely safe to view without any protective equipment.

The Moon's shadow cast on Earth during a solar eclipse is relatively small — typically only a few hundred kilometers wide. As the Moon moves, this shadow traces a narrow path across Earth's surface called the 'path of totality.' Locations outside this path may see a partial eclipse, while areas far from the path see nothing unusual.

Yes — eclipse schedules can be predicted centuries in advance using orbital mechanics. Eclipses follow repeating cycles called the Saros cycle (approximately 18 years, 11 days). By selecting your region in this countdown tool, you can quickly see which upcoming eclipses will be visible near you and how many days remain until each one.