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Two Eclipses in August 2026

  • Writer: CJ Woodford
    CJ Woodford
  • 3 days ago
  • 3 min read

August 2026 is bringing us not one but two eclipses visible in Canada! First up, a partial solar eclipse in the late morning of August 12, followed by a lunar eclipse in the evening and overnight of August 27-28.

Eclipses are a magical reminder of our place in the universe. Whether you’re observing the solar eclipse on a nice day or staying up late for the lunar eclipse, August is shaping up to be an amazing month for skywatching. Don’t miss out!


Partial Solar Eclipse, August 12

On August 12, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun for a partial solar eclipse. This one will be visible mainly in the East and North of Canada, offering an awesome afternoon for solar observation!


In Spain and Greenland, they will witness a total solar eclipse, where the will Moon block out the Sun completely. Over most of Eastern and Northern Canada, the partial eclipse will be visible. Visit Time and Date to find other times in other locations.


Key details for select cities (time is in local time):


% Sun hidden by the Moon at the Maximum

Beginning of the Partial Eclipse

Maximum

End of Partial Eclipse

Iqaluit (NU)

61%

12:18pm

1:24pm

2:27pm

Clyde River (NU)

74%

12:13pm

1:17pm

2:20pm

Yellowknife (NWT)

29%

9:50am

10:42am

11:36am

Paulatuuq (NWT)

47%

9:46am

10:42am

11:39am

Whitehorse (YK)

23%

8:40am

9:26am

10:15am

Dawson City (YK)

33%

8:39am

9:29am

10:20am

Happy Valley-Goose Bay (NL)

52%

1:40pm

2:47pm

3:50pm

St. John’s (NL)

53%

2:28pm

3:35pm

4:37pm

Moncton (NB)

32%

1:53pm

2:56pm

3:55pm

Salluit (QC)

51%

12:15pm

1:19pm

2:23pm

Québec (QC)

24%

12:48pm

1:46pm

2:43pm

Montréal (QC)

18%

12:50pm

1:45pm

2:39pm

Ottawa (ON)

16%

12:50pm

1:43pm

2:34pm

Toronto (ON)

8%

12:55pm

1:40pm

2:34pm


How to Observe the Partial Solar Eclipse Safely

Never look directly at the Sun! But don’t worry —there are safe and easy ways to enjoy the show:

  • If you've got eclipse glasses from 2017 or 2024, check them for any damage, and then you’re all set!

  • Get creative with projections! Use a pinhole or colander to project the Sun’s image onto a surface. Bonus: You can make fun patterns with the holes, which will project crescent-shaped suns!

  • Watch our colleagues at the Dunlap Institute as they live stream the total solar eclipse from Spain! It will be on their YouTube channel.



Our logo in crescent suns, during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
Our logo in crescent suns, during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This is the indirect method (by projection).

Other ways to bring eclipses to life:







Partial Lunar Eclipse, august 27-28

Up for a late-night cosmic adventure? This will be a beautiful sight worth staying up for! And the best part? No special equipment needed —just step outside and enjoy. It's completely safe to observe a lunar eclipse since you're looking at the Moon, not the Sun!


On the night of August 27-28, the full moon will transform before our eyes, slowly slipping into Earth’s shadow. This spectacular event will be visible across Canada, though for much of the country, it will unfold in the middle of the night.


A lunar eclipse happens in stages over a few hours:

  1. The penumbral eclipse begins as the Moon enters Earth’s outer shadow, or penumbra. This part is subtle and not easily visible.

  2. Things get exciting when the partial eclipse begins! The Moon will appear to be missing a part as it enters Earth’s shadow. This will take over an hour to happen.

  3. At the partial maximum, the Moon will be over 96% covered by the shadow of the Earth. Which makes this a partial lunar eclipse, where the Moon is not entirely engulfed by the Earth's shadow.

  4. Finally, the Moon will slowly leave Earth's shadow, continuing the partial phases of the eclipse for another hour or so.


Diagram of lunar eclipse.
Credit: Discover the Universe

This lunar eclipse is visible from everywhere across Canada at the same time. Here are the main times for the Eastern and Pacific time zones. Simply convert for other time zones.


Eastern Time

Pacific Time

Partial eclipse begins

10:34pm (August 27) 

Moonrise (August 27)

Eclipse Maximum

12:13am (August 28)

9:13pm (August 27)

Partial eclipse ends

1:52am (August 28)

10:52pm (August 27)


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