Three astronomical events in August: solar eclipse, lunar eclipse and Perseids

The fact that a solar eclipse is not an everyday phenomenon is due to the inclination of the moon's orbit: without this inclination, there would be a solar and a lunar eclipse every month. Because the moon's orbit is tilted by about five degrees to the ecliptic plane, the Earth's satellite only partially covers the solar disk on average twice a year.

Why eclipses are rare

For comparison: on August 2, 2027, another total solar eclipse will reach parts of Europe, with a maximum coverage of 56 percent visible from Spain. Already on February 20, 2027, a penumbral lunar eclipse follows, and on January 26, 2028, an annular solar eclipse. Spain will thus experience a total of three solar eclipses by 2028 – an extraordinary circumstance.

As early as August 28, 2026, the next astronomical event awaits: in the early morning hours, a partial lunar eclipse begins at 4:34 a.m., when the moon enters the Earth's umbra. The moon sinks below the horizon shortly after 6:00 a.m. – just before reaching the maximum and while the sun rises at the same time. For observers in Austria, only part of the eclipse is therefore visible.

Partial lunar eclipse on the morning of August 28

Parallel to the eclipses, the Perseid meteor shower reaches its maximum on the night of August 12 to 13. During this time, the Earth crosses the dust trail of comet Swift-Tuttle, which is why an increased number of shooting stars light up in the sky. The Perseids bear their name because the meteors appear to emanate from the constellation Perseus.

In colloquial language, the Perseids are also called „Tränen des Laurentius", as their appearance coincides with the name day of the martyr Lawrence on August 10. Pikhard pointed out: „Das ist die stärkste Verfinsterung seit dem 11. August 1999, als in weiten Teilen Österreichs eine totale Finsternis zu sehen war.“ At that time, Austria experienced a total solar eclipse.

Perseids: shooting stars around August 12

The visibility of a solar eclipse is always regionally limited: this results in a solar eclipse that, however, cannot be seen everywhere on Earth. While the zone of totality on August 12, 2026 runs from Siberia via Iceland to Spain, observers in Central Europe and thus also in Austria see an extended, but not complete, eclipse.

The Vienna Working Group for Astronomy has published information on the solar eclipse, lunar eclipse and meteor shower via APA press releases. Interested parties can find details on observation times, geographical visibility and astronomical background of the three August events there.

Overall, August 2026 offers a rare accumulation of astronomical phenomena. Within just under four weeks, a strong partial solar eclipse, a partial lunar eclipse and the peak of the Perseids coincide. Astronomy enthusiasts in Austria should keep a close eye on August 12.

Pikhard also places the event in a longer context: by 2028, several solar eclipses will be observable from Europe, including those on August 2, 2027 and the annular eclipse on January 26, 2028. Those who miss the upcoming August highlights will have further chances in the coming years.