Look up (and that’s not a movie reference).<\/p>\n
A total solar eclipse will cloak the sky before sunset\u00a0with\u00a0perfect darkness across a mighty swath of Spain next month (whew, that sounds poetic). But while Spain gets the ultimate daytime blackout, Metro Vancouverites will unfortunately miss out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead, we will have to feel content with a lunar treat later on in August. While it\u00a0won’t be a total lunar eclipse (of the heart), the Earth’s shadow will cover a whopping 93% of the moon, making it look almost completely blanketed.<\/p>\n
And I know what you’re thinking: close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. But in this case, a nearly complete lunar eclipse looks pretty darn sweet. At its peak, the moon will take on a deep, reddish hue\u2014which is pretty nifty if you are a lunar lover.<\/p>\n
This is much ado about space, without context. So let’s break down all the celestial treats in store next month for\u00a0Metro Vancouverites.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Total solar eclipse, partial lunar eclipse\u00a0in August 2026<\/p>\n
Rosanna Tilbrook, an astronomer at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre<\/a>, has previously told Vancouver Is Awesome that eclipses occur in interesting “pairs” with the Earth-moon-sun system<\/a>.<\/p>\n “[They’re] separated by about two weeks (half a lunar cycle),” she said. “During a solar eclipse, the moon appears to block out the sun when viewed from certain places on Earth.”<\/p>\n Next month’s solar eclipse takes place on Aug. 12,\u00a0but the timing will depend on where you are.<\/p>\n