Missed this weekend’s eclipse? Here’s when the next ones are.
If clouds, travel, or timing kept you from seeing the latest eclipse, you’re far from out of luck. Eclipses are predictable years in advance, and there are several excellent chances ahead—some close to home, some worth a dedicated trip. Below is a clear, at-a-glance guide to the next notable solar and lunar eclipses, what type they are, and where you’ll want to be to get the best view.
Quick refresher: solar vs. lunar
- Solar eclipse: The Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. These come in three main flavors:
- Total: Day turns to twilight as the Sun is completely covered along a narrow path (the “path of totality”).
- Annular: The Moon appears slightly smaller than the Sun, creating a bright “ring of fire.”
- Partial: The Moon covers only part of the Sun; dramatic but not as immersive as total or annular.
- Lunar eclipse: Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon. These are visible across entire night sides of Earth and are much easier to watch—no special eye protection needed.
Next notable solar eclipses
Times and visibility vary by location; always check local circumstances from a reputable source before you go.
- February 6, 2026 — Annular solar eclipse
- Best places: Primarily over Antarctica and the southernmost tip of South America.
- What to expect: Classic “ring of fire” along the annular path; partial phases across broader southern South America.
- August 12, 2026 — Total solar eclipse
- Best places: Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain fall under the path of totality.
- Wider region: Partial eclipse visible across much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia.
- Why it’s special: Excellent summer weather prospects in parts of Spain; a highly accessible European totality.
- August 2, 2027 — Total solar eclipse
- Best places: North Africa and the Middle East, including an exceptionally long totality in southern Egypt (near Luxor/Aswan).
- Wider region: Partial phases across Africa, southern Europe, and western Asia.
- Why it’s special: One of the longest totalities of the 21st century in Egypt.
- July 22, 2028 — Total solar eclipse
- Best places: Australia, with totality sweeping across parts of the continent; major cities like Sydney are close to the path.
- Wider region: Partial phases in New Zealand and surrounding areas.
- March 30, 2033 — Total solar eclipse
- Best places: Alaska and the Russian Far East.
- Note for North America: A rare high-latitude totality accessible from U.S. soil (Alaska).
- Looking further ahead (U.S. highlights)
- August 23, 2044: Totality returns to the northern Plains (Montana and the Dakotas) and into Canada.
- August 12, 2045: A monumental, coast-to-coast total solar eclipse across the continental United States.
Safety reminder: For all solar eclipses—including partial and annular—use certified solar filters (ISO 12312-2) for viewing and photography. Only during the brief totality of a total solar eclipse is it safe to look with the naked eye.
Next notable lunar eclipses
Lunar eclipses are visible across the entire night side of Earth and require no eye protection. Weather permitting, they’re the most accessible “eclipse fix.”
- March 14–15, 2025 — Total lunar eclipse
- Visibility: Favorable across large portions of the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
- What to expect: The Moon often turns a coppery red (“blood moon”) as sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere.
- September 7–8, 2025 — Total lunar eclipse
- Visibility: Pacific region, the Americas, East Asia, and Australia see significant phases.
- 2026 and beyond
- Several partial and penumbral lunar eclipses occur in 2026–2028; exact visibility depends on your location.
- Consult the resources below for local timings and altitude of the Moon during each event.
If you’re planning from North America
- Soonest “big” solar events:
- August 12, 2026: Partial phases across parts of the eastern U.S. and Canada; totality is in Greenland, Iceland, and Spain (travel recommended).
- March 30, 2033: Totality in Alaska.
- August 23, 2044 and August 12, 2045: Next continental U.S. totals, with 2045 being a landmark coast-to-coast event.
- Lunar eclipses:
- March and September 2025 totals are broadly favorable for the Americas, offering great backyard viewing without special gear.
How to choose your eclipse and plan ahead
- Decide your must-have: Totality (most dramatic), a scenic annular “ring,” or an easy-to-catch lunar eclipse.
- Study the path: The experience of a solar eclipse changes dramatically with distance from the center line of the path of totality/annularity.
- Prioritize weather: Favor locations with historically clearer skies (e.g., Spain in August 2026; Egypt in August 2027).
- Book early: Flights, hotels, and rental cars in the path can sell out months to years in advance.
- Have a weather “Plan B”: Stay mobile within the path in the final 24–48 hours if possible.
- Pack smart: Certified solar viewers, spare batteries, tripod, wide and telephoto options for photography, hat/sunscreen, water.
Resources for precise maps and local timings
- NASA Eclipse Web Site (global eclipse maps and catalogs): https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/
- Timeanddate.com (interactive maps and city-by-city circumstances): https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/
- International Astronomical Union (safety and outreach): https://www.iau.org/public/themes/eclipses/
- American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force (solar viewing safety): https://eclipse.aas.org/
Tip: Enter your city on an interactive map to see exactly when the eclipse starts, its maximum, how deep it gets, and how high the Sun or Moon will be above your horizon.
