Selenarium · Astrology
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
An eclipse doesn't come every month. The Moon has to arrive at the exact point where its path crosses the Sun's. I'll tell you when the next ones fall and what kind they are.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2026
| Date | Type | In the sign | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 17, 2026 | Solar eclipse | in Aquarius | 12:01 |
| March 3, 2026 | Lunar eclipse | in Virgo | 11:34 |
| August 12, 2026 | Solar eclipse | in Leo | 17:37 |
| August 28, 2026 | Lunar eclipse | in Pisces | 04:13 |
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2027
| Date | Type | In the sign | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2027 | Solar eclipse | in Aquarius | 15:56 |
| February 20, 2027 | Lunar eclipse | in Virgo | 23:13 |
| July 18, 2027 | Lunar eclipse | in Capricorn | 16:03 |
| August 2, 2027 | Solar eclipse | in Leo | 10:05 |
| August 17, 2027 | Lunar eclipse | in Aquarius | 07:14 |
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2028
| Date | Type | In the sign | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 12, 2028 | Lunar eclipse | in Cancer | 04:13 |
| January 26, 2028 | Solar eclipse | in Aquarius | 15:13 |
| July 6, 2028 | Lunar eclipse | in Capricorn | 18:20 |
| July 22, 2028 | Solar eclipse | in Cancer | 03:02 |
| December 31, 2028 | Lunar eclipse | in Cancer | 16:52 |
Moscow time.
Why eclipses skip most months
You'd think the Moon, going around Earth once a month, would cover the Sun at every new moon. Its orbit is tilted about five degrees against ours, so most of the time the shadow misses, passing above Earth or below it. Two things have to coincide: a new moon or a full moon, and the point where the two orbits cross. That lines up twice in most years, occasionally three times, and eclipses arrive in pairs about two weeks apart, one solar and one lunar. Add them up and an ordinary year holds four eclipses, a rare one as many as seven.
What separates a total eclipse from an annular one is distance. The Moon travels an ellipse, so its apparent size shifts. When it's nearer to us, its disc is wider than the Sun's and covers it whole. When it's further out, the disc comes up short and leaves a burning ring around the rim.
FAQ
Why isn't there an eclipse every month?
The Moon's orbit is tilted about five degrees against Earth's, so most months its shadow passes above us or below us. An eclipse happens only when a new moon or a full moon coincides with the point where the two orbits intersect.
What's the difference between a total and an annular eclipse?
The distance to the Moon. When the Moon is closer, its disc looks larger than the Sun's and hides it completely, which gives you a total eclipse. When it's further away, the disc looks smaller and a bright ring stays lit around the rim, which is the annular kind.
Can an eclipse be seen from everywhere?
A lunar eclipse is visible from the whole night side of Earth. A solar eclipse only from a narrow track, usually around a hundred miles wide. The dates on this page are exact. The visibility track takes a separate calculation that I don't run here, and I won't pretend otherwise.
Is it dangerous to look at a solar eclipse?
Yes, unless you have a proper solar filter. Sunglasses, exposed film and smoked glass do not protect you. A retinal burn happens with no pain to warn you, so use eclipse glasses certified for the purpose or watch a projection instead.