August 2026 to Feature Major Astronomical Events Including Meteor Showers and Eclipses

August 2026 to Feature Major Astronomical Events Including Meteor Showers and Eclipses
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Skywatchers around the world and in parts of the Arab region will witness several notable astronomical events in August 2026, including a solar eclipse, a partial lunar eclipse, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, and the prominent appearance of Venus.

The month’s main event will be the total solar eclipse on August 12, which will be visible in full along a specific global path, while parts of the western Arab world, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania, will experience a partial eclipse during the final hours of daylight. However, observers in Iraq and Gulf countries will not be able to view the eclipse due to the timing of the event near sunset in those regions.

At the same time, the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most famous annual meteor displays, will reach its peak on the night of August 12–13. Astronomy enthusiasts will have the opportunity to observe the meteors with the naked eye, especially from dark areas away from city lights, with the best viewing conditions expected from midnight until dawn.

During August, Venus will also appear brightly after sunset, becoming one of the most prominent celestial objects visible in the evening sky.

The month will conclude with a partial lunar eclipse on August 28, which is expected to be visible from wide areas and attract the attention of astronomy enthusiasts and photographers.

In connection with the solar eclipse, Muslims are required to perform Salat al-Ayat (the Signs Prayer) at the beginning of the eclipse, according to the religious rulings of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi.