{"id":803307,"date":"2026-07-15T10:41:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T10:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/803307\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T10:41:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T10:41:14","slug":"not-one-eclipse-this-summer-but-two-get-ready-for-a-solar-eclipse-a-blood-moon-and-shooting-stars-all-in-the-same-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/803307\/","title":{"rendered":"Not one eclipse this summer \u2013 but two! Get ready for a solar eclipse, a Blood Moon and shooting stars all in the same month"},"content":{"rendered":"

August 2026 is set to be a pretty good month for astronomy.<\/p>\n

On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will be visible across Spain<\/a>, while observers in the rest of Europe, the UK and North America will see a pretty impressive partial solar eclipse.<\/p>\n

The 2026 solar eclipse occurs on the same night as the peak of the Perseid meteor shower<\/a> \u2013\u00a0one of the year’s best meteor showers \u2013\u00a0which will create perfect conditions for seeing a shooting star.<\/p>\n

And we’re also getting a partial lunar eclipse \u2013 sometimes known as a blood Moon \u2013 two weeks later on the evening of 27 August, or the morning of 28 August 2026 \u2013 depending where you’re observing from \u2013 visible across the UK, Europe, Africa, North and South America.<\/p>\n

Key timings for the August 2026 lunar eclipse
\n\"IllustrationIllustration showing how the August 2026 lunar eclipse will appear. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/p>\n

The partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 is followed by a significant partial lunar eclipse two weeks later on the evening of 27 August \/ the morning of 28 August.<\/p>\n

The timing for this event from the UK isn\u2019t perfect, with the Moon approaching setting as the eclipse gets going, but given clear skies it could still be quite a spectacle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A lunar eclipse has several parts.<\/p>\n

At 02:24 BST (01:24 UT) on 28 August, or 21:24 EDT on 27 August, the Moon enters the outer part of Earth\u2019s weak penumbral shadow.<\/p>\n

A penumbral shadow represents the region where, if you were observing the Sun from the Moon\u2019s distance, you\u2019d see part of the Sun\u2019s disc being clipped by Earth.<\/p>\n

The outer part of the penumbral shadow is so weak, you\u2019ll struggle to see any effect at this time.<\/p>\n

However, as time passes, the Moon moves deeper into the penumbra \u2013 from the Moon\u2019s perspective, more of the Sun\u2019s disc is gradually covered by Earth \u2013 and you will start to see a subtle darkening on one side of the Moon.<\/p>\n

This will get increasingly darker until at 03:34 BST (02:34 UT) on 28 August, or 22:34 EDT on 27 August, the Moon enters the dark umbral portion of Earth\u2019s shadow, where the Sun is completely blocked by Earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rather than being entirely dark, the umbral shadow is infilled by light refracted by our planet\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe March 3, 2026 lunar eclipse captured by Piers Laverty, Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia<\/p>\n

The blue component of this light is scattered by Earth\u2019s atmosphere, leaving the infilling light as a shade of yellow-red, varying in darkness depending on the clarity of Earth\u2019s atmosphere.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From the UK, maximum eclipse occurs at 05:13 BST (04:13 UT), or 00:13 EDT on 28 August, when 93% of the Moon\u2019s diameter is covered by the umbral shadow.<\/p>\n

This happens when the Moon is low in the west-southwestern sky under brightening dawn twilight conditions.<\/p>\n

In the UK, the Moon sets around one hour later, before the partial phase has had time to complete.<\/p>\n

Why lunar eclipses happen
\n\"MechanicsCredit: NASA<\/p>\n

Lunar eclipses<\/a> happen when the Sun, Earth and the Moon are aligned, causing the lunar surface to take on a rusty-red colour that leads to it often being named a ‘blood Moon’.<\/p>\n

This reddening of the Moon’s surface happens because Earth is blocking and distorting sunlight on its way to the Moon.<\/p>\n

Only sunlight that has been refracted by Earth\u2019s atmosphere reaches the Moon and we get two zones of shadow on the lunar surface.<\/p>\n

The penumbra is where some of the Sun is always seen from the surface of the Moon. The umbra is where the Sun is completely hidden by the Earth<\/p>\n

Why lunar eclipses are called a Blood Moon
\n\"CompositeComposite image showing the stages of a solar eclipse, captured by Emmanuel Delgadillo, Jalisco, Mexico, 3 March 2026<\/p>\n

When the Moon is in the umbra, only light that has been bent by the Earth\u2019s atmosphere can make it to the lunar surface.<\/p>\n

Earth’s atmosphere filters out blue light, but leaves red light, which is why the Moon takes on a reddish hue.<\/p>\n

That’s why some call a lunar eclipse a ‘blood Moon’.<\/p>\n

The good thing about a lunar eclipse is you don’t need eclipse glasses to view it. They’re perfectly safe to observe with the naked eye and a pair of binoculars will get you a closer view.<\/p>\n

For more lunar observing and imaging, read our guides on how to photograph the Moon<\/a>, how to observe the Moon<\/a> and how to draw the Moon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And don’t forget to send us your images<\/a>. You can also share them with us via Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n