“When’s the next solar eclipse?” sounds like a simple questionuntil you realize “next” depends on
where you are on Earth and what kind of eclipse you mean. Do you want the next solar eclipse
anywhere on the planet? The next one you can see from the United States? Or the next one where the Sun goes fully
dark (aka totality) and the sky does that spooky twilight thing that makes grown adults cry a little?
Let’s make it easy. As of early 2026, there are two headline solar eclipses to know about, and they’re very different:
an annular (“ring of fire”) eclipse in February, and a total solar eclipse in August that will be
jaw-dropping for parts of Europe and the North Atlanticwhile most of North America gets a partial show.
When is the next solar eclipse?
The next solar eclipse (globally) is on February 17, 2026, and it’s an annular solar eclipse.
That means the Moon passes in front of the Sun but appears a little too small to cover it completelyso you get a bright
ring of sunlight instead of daytime darkness.
The next big one after that is on August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse. If you’re chasing the
full “Sun disappears” experience, this is the one to circle in red, highlight in neon, and tell your future self not to
schedule a dentist appointment on.
Quick cheat-sheet: the next major solar eclipses
| Date | Type | Best viewing regions | What many U.S. viewers get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2026 | Annular | Antarctica (annularity); partial visibility across wide surrounding regions | Not a prime “drive-to-it” eclipse for most Americans |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Total | Greenland, Iceland, Spain, parts of Russia, and a small area of Portugal (totality) | Partial eclipse in parts of North America (including Alaska) |
“Next” depends on where you live (and what you want to see)
If your goal is “I want to step outside and notice something cool,” then a partial solar eclipse can be
totally worth itespecially if you use a safe viewer and watch the Sun turn into a cosmic Pac-Man.
But if your goal is “I want to see the Sun’s corona, watch daylight drop into twilight, and feel the world
pause,” you need to be in the path of totality during a total solar eclipse. That path is
usually narrow, and missing it by even a little can mean missing the main event. (In eclipse terms, “close” is not a thing.
“Close” is just “partial.”)
For many Americans, August 12, 2026 may be the next solar eclipse they can see at allbut the next time the contiguous
United States gets a total solar eclipse is 2044. (Yes, really. Your calendar is allowed to gasp.)
Solar eclipse 101: what you’ll actually see
Solar eclipses come in a few flavors. Here’s what each one looks like from the ground, and why your camera roll will care.
Partial solar eclipse: the “cookie bite” Sun
The Moon covers only part of the Sun. The sky stays bright, shadows look a little strange, and the Sun becomes a shrinking
crescentlike it’s being slowly eaten by an invisible sky hamster.
- Best for: casual viewing, classrooms, backyard science, leaf-shadow “crescent confetti.”
- Safety note: you need eclipse glasses or a safe viewer the whole time.
Annular solar eclipse: the famous “ring of fire”
During an annular eclipse, the Moon lines up nicely but appears smaller than the Sun, leaving a bright ring. It’s gorgeous,
it’s dramatic, and it is never safe to look at directly without proper solar filtersbecause even a thin
ring of Sun is still the Sun.
- Best for: striking photos (with proper filters), big “whoa” energy, and bragging rights.
- Safety note: eye protection is required at all times.
Total solar eclipse: the “goosebumps” event
Totality is when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face. The sky darkens like dawn or dusk. You may see bright
planets or stars. And you can finally see the Sun’s outer atmospherethe coronaglowing around the Moon
like a ghostly white crown.
- Best for: once-in-a-lifetime vibes, science nerd joy, and unforgettable memories.
- Safety note: you can remove eclipse glasses only during totalitywhen the Sun’s bright face is fully covered.
Why eclipses don’t happen every month (even though there’s a new moon every month)
Here’s the sneaky detail most people don’t learn until they Google “why didn’t the eclipse happen at my new moon”:
the Moon’s orbit is tilted by about 5 degrees compared to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Most months,
the Moon passes a little above or below the Sun from our viewpoint, and its shadow misses Earth entirely.
An eclipse only happens when the geometry lines up just rightnew moon, the Moon near an orbital node, and Earth in the
crosshairs. When it does line up, the Moon’s shadow hits Earth in two main zones:
- Umbra: the dark inner shadow (total eclipse happens here).
- Penumbra: the lighter outer shadow (partial eclipse happens here).
That’s why the path of totality is narrow and precious: the umbra on Earth is small, and it moves quickly.
How to watch the next solar eclipse safely (without starring in an eye doctor’s cautionary tale)
This is the part where we get lovingly bossy. Solar eclipses are safe to enjoyif you do it correctly.
The rule is simple: unless you are in totality during a total solar eclipse, you must use proper solar protection.
Do this
- Use eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer that meets the ISO 12312-2 standard.
- Inspect viewers for scratches, pinholes, tears, or loose filters. If damaged, replace them.
- Supervise kids (because kids are curious, and the Sun is not a forgiving science fair judge).
- Try indirect viewing: a pinhole projector, a colander “Sun projector,” or leaf shadows under a tree.
Never do this
- Don’t look at the Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a proper solar filter on the front.
- Don’t rely on regular sunglasses. Even very dark ones are not safe for eclipse viewing.
- Don’t stack DIY “filters” (smoked glass, CDs, random plastic). The Sun doesn’t care about your creativity.
Planning for the 2026 eclipses: what a smart eclipse-chaser does
If you want the best possible experience, plan like you’re attending a tiny, moving, celestial concert that lasts only minutes.
Because… you are.
For February 17, 2026 (annular eclipse)
This one is primarily an Antarctica-centric event for the annular “ring” view, with partial eclipse visibility spread across
broad regions. For most readers in the U.S., it’s better to treat this eclipse as a “nice-to-know” and focus on the August total
eclipse if you’re willing to travel internationally.
For August 12, 2026 (total solar eclipse)
Totality will track across parts of the North Atlantic region and Europemost famously Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.
If totality is on your bucket list, this is your near-term chance.
- Choose your goal: totality or partial? Totality requires being inside the path.
- Pick a viewing spot with an open sky: avoid tall buildings and mountain walls blocking the Sun’s position.
- Think weather: clouds can ruin the view (though the eerie dimming can still feel dramatic).
- Build a buffer: arrive early; eclipses bring traffic and crowded viewpoints.
- Pack like a pro: eclipse glasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, a hat, and a simple backup plan.
Want to photograph it? Great. Want to roast your sensor? Please don’t.
Eclipse photography is incredibly rewardingif you protect your gear and keep expectations realistic.
A few practical tips:
- Use a proper solar filter on any camera, binoculars, or telescope during partial/annular phases.
- Practice before eclipse day: set focus, test exposure, and learn your camera controls in advance.
- During totality only: photographers often remove the solar filter briefly for corona shots, then put it back on
immediately as totality ends. - Smartphone strategy: quick snapshots can work, but never point an unfiltered camera directly at the uneclipsed Sun.
Also: don’t spend the entire eclipse staring at settings menus. Take the photo you want, then put the camera down and watch with
your actual human eyeballs (with the proper filters, of course).
500-word eclipse experience: how to make the next solar eclipse feel unforgettable
A solar eclipse isn’t just something you seeit’s something you notice with your whole environment.
People who’ve witnessed deep partial eclipses or totality often describe it as the moment the world briefly “changes its tone,”
like nature quietly switched the lighting from “midday” to “mysterious movie trailer.”
Start with the light. Even before totality, sunlight can look slightly muted, and shadows get crisp in a weird way. If you’re under
trees, look at the ground: tiny gaps between leaves act like thousands of pinhole projectors, turning ordinary dappled shade into a
scattered pattern of little crescent Suns. It’s one of the most underrated eclipse sightsno special equipment, no risk, just a free
pop-up planetarium on the sidewalk.
Then there’s the “soundtrack.” Researchers and citizen-science projects have encouraged people to pay attention to how sudden dimming and
temperature shifts can change outdoor soundscapesbirds quieting, insects flipping into evening mode, or a sudden hush as people collectively
stop talking for a second because their brains are trying to process what’s happening. If you want to turn this into a memory you can keep,
bring a notebook and jot down what you hear and feel every few minutes: brightness, wind, temperature, animal sounds, crowd reactions. It’s
surprisingly fun to compare notes after the eclipse and realize everyone caught different details.
If you ever get the chance to experience totality, watch the world for a momentnot just the sky. The horizon can take on a 360-degree
sunset look, colors can shift, and the air can feel cooler. This is also where eclipse emotions sneak up on people. You might expect “cool science”
and get “why am I tearing up in a parking lot?” instead. That reaction is normal. You’re watching a perfect alignment of cosmic distancessomething
that’s both predictable and completely astonishing in real life.
Want a simple “experience plan” for eclipse day? Try this:
- 10 minutes before peak: put your phone away and just observe light and shadows.
- 5 minutes before peak: check tree shadows, note changes in brightness, listen for animals.
- At peak (or totality if you’re lucky): take one quick photo, then watch. Breathe. Let it be weird.
- After peak: look again at leaf shadows, compare the returning light, and write one sentence you’d want to read a year later.
Because here’s the truth: the “next solar eclipse” becomes your favorite eclipse only if you actually experience it. Not just capture it.
And yes, you can be both safe and awestruck at the same time. That’s the whole point.
Final thoughts
The next solar eclipse is closer than it feels, and the best way to enjoy it is to know which eclipse you’re aiming for, plan your viewing spot,
and take eye safety seriously. Whether you’re catching a partial eclipse from home or traveling for totality, the magic is the same:
the universe lines up, and for a little while, you get front-row seats.