The night sky in August 2026
In August 2026, the Perseids meteor shower peaks, and the darkest skies fall around the New Moon on the 12th. There are also 2 eclipses this month.
Moon phases
The Moon sets the rhythm of the month — the New Moon brings the darkest skies for faint objects, the Full Moon the brightest nights. Dates are in UTC and may shift a day in your time zone.
Last QuarterAug 6
New MoonAug 12
First QuarterAug 20
Full MoonAug 28
Meteor showers
Peaks are approximate and shift a day year to year. Watch from the darkest site you can reach, after midnight, with no Moon in the sky. See our meteor-shower guide for the technique.
- Perseids — peaks around Aug 12, up to ~100/hr. The summer classic — bright, fast, and reliable.
Eclipses
- Total Solar Eclipse — Aug 12, 2026. Visible from northern North America, western Africa, Europe.
- Partial Lunar Eclipse — Aug 28, 2026. Visible from eastern Pacific, Americas, Europe, Africa.
Turn this month into a plan for your sky — Stella has the exact times, weather, and dark sites.
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