August 2026 presents two significant celestial events for observers across much of the globe. On August 12, a total solar eclipse will traverse the northern hemisphere, with the moon's shadow travelling from the Arctic eastward across parts of Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and the Iberian Peninsula. Whilst many locations will experience only a partial eclipse, complete totality will be visible from sparsely populated eastern Greenland, western Iceland, and Spain—marking the first total solar eclipse across Spain in more than a century. The event will reach its dramatic peak during late afternoon or early evening, lasting roughly two minutes at totality, and observers in the path must use certified eclipse glasses to view it safely.

On August 27-28, a partial lunar eclipse will follow, occurring when Earth positions itself between the sun and moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Unlike the solar eclipse's narrow path, this lunar eclipse will be visible simultaneously from a vast region of Earth, with the Americas offering the most optimal viewing conditions. Up to 96 percent of the moon's disk will be obscured by Earth's shadow, creating a visually striking event that requires only clear skies and minimal light pollution to observe—no special equipment or protective gear necessary.