Eyes to the Skies: August features partial eclipses of the sun and moon

Key Points:

• August 2026 features partial solar and lunar eclipses visible in the D.C. region, with a partial solar eclipse on August 12 obscuring about 1% of the sun locally, while total eclipses will be seen in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, and Europe.
• The Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12-13, offering an excellent viewing opportunity unhindered by moonlight, coinciding with the new moon and solar eclipse.
• Key celestial events include close alignments of the moon with planets such as Mars (August 9), Mercury (August 11), Jupiter and Mercury (August 15), and Venus (August 15), as well as the deep partial lunar eclipse of the full sturgeon moon on August 27-28.
• August is prime time for observing the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere, visible from after dark through morning twilight, along with notable stars like Algol, which experiences several brightness minima during the month.
• Astronomy enthusiasts in the D.C. area can attend various events including presentations at Shenandoah National Park, public viewing sessions at Turner Farm Observatory, and explore new exhibits like Smithsonian Starstruck; additionally, NASA will livestream the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on August 30.