When Is the Next Solar Eclipse? Complete Guide for 2026 Through 2030

The Next Big Ones

If you missed the Great North American Eclipse of April 2024, do not worry. The next several years have multiple major eclipses, and some of them are genuinely once-in-a-lifetime events. Our Eclipse Explorer tracks all upcoming eclipses with countdowns, visibility maps, and detailed information.

Here is what is coming:

2026: Iceland and Spain

August 12, 2026 — Total Solar Eclipse

The path of totality crosses the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain. This is a relatively short eclipse at 2 minutes 18 seconds of totality, but the locations are extraordinary. Reykjavik, Iceland will experience totality — the first time in decades. Northern Spain, particularly around Oviedo, is the most accessible viewing location with good weather odds.

There is also an annular eclipse on February 17, 2026 crossing southern Argentina and Africa, though it is harder to reach.

2027: The Monster Eclipse

August 2, 2027 — Total Solar Eclipse

This is the one astronomers are already planning for. At 6 minutes and 23 seconds of totality near Luxor, Egypt, it is one of the longest total eclipses of the 21st century. The path crosses Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and southern India.

Luxor is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors — the ancient temples provide an unforgettable backdrop for totality. Weather prospects are excellent across North Africa and the Middle East in August.

2028: Sydney Gets Its Turn

July 22, 2028 — Total Solar Eclipse

The path of totality crosses Australia, passing directly over Sydney. This is the first total solar eclipse visible from Sydney since 1857 — a 171-year gap. With 5 minutes and 10 seconds of totality and a major city directly in the path, this will likely be the most-watched eclipse in history.

Also in 2028: an extraordinarily long annular eclipse on January 26 with over 10 minutes of annularity over the South Atlantic.

Solar vs Lunar Eclipses

People often confuse the two, and they are fundamentally different experiences.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth. You must be in the narrow path of that shadow to see totality. It lasts minutes. You need eye protection except during totality itself.

A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting Earth's shadow on the Moon. Everyone on the nighttime side of Earth can see it. It lasts hours. No eye protection needed — you are just watching the Moon turn red.

Total lunar eclipses are sometimes called "Blood Moons" because of the deep red color caused by Earth's atmosphere bending sunlight into the shadow.

Track Every Eclipse

Our Eclipse Explorer covers every solar and lunar eclipse from 2024 to 2030. You can filter by solar or lunar, see past eclipses you may have witnessed, and tap any eclipse for detailed information including Saros cycle numbers, maximum duration, and visibility regions.

While you are exploring the sky, check the planet visibility guide for what else is visible tonight, or the moon phase tracker to see if conditions are right for stargazing.