The prospect of seeing the northern lights during totality on Aug. 12 is exciting eclipse chasers. Some scientists think it’s possible.
North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead, which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere.
A solar eclipse will be seen across the Northern Hemisphere on Aug. 12, followed by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower in the early hours of Aug. 13.
One year remains until the Aug. 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, the longest visible from land this century, crossing Spain, North Africa and the Middle East.
Jets from NASA and the Irish Air Corps C-295, as well as a host of private jets, are preparing to deploy jets and scientific balloons during August’s total solar eclipse.
August 2026 brings a total solar eclipse, the year’s best Perseid meteor shower, Venus at its brightest evening, a deep partial lunar eclipse and Jupiter’s return.
In the wake of July’s buck moon on July 29 comes an “eclipse season,” with a total solar eclipse followed by a deep partial eclipse of the sturgeon moon on Aug. 27-28.
July’s buck moon rose worldwide on July 29, 2026, marking midsummer nights and setting the stage for August’s eclipse-packed skies.
Two meteor showers peak on July 30-31 as the Perseids continue building toward an exceptional August peak under moonless skies later this summer.
July’s Buck Moon will rise worldwide on July 29 to become the second full moon of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and set up August’s total solar eclipse.