Skip to main content

When is the next total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse.
NASA

The highly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8 has been and gone. The fleeting moment when the moon came between the sun and Earth, causing a giant shadow to sweep across a part of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, sent millions of people into a frenzy of excitement on Monday afternoon.

Some of those folks will already be wondering about the date of the next solar eclipse as they consider traveling to the ends of the Earth to witness this spectacular celestial phenomenon again. Plenty of people in countries around the world who could not make it to North America to witness Monday’s total solar eclipse will be keen to know the next one in the hope that it might be easier to get to.

So, here’s what you need to know.

The next total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026, with the path of totality sweeping across eastern Greenland, the west coast of Iceland, Spain, a little bit of Portugal, and Russia.

There will be another total solar eclipse a year later, on August 2, 2027, when the path of totality will cross southern Spain, Gibraltar, and north Africa.

This decade will also see a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2028, in Australia, while in the 2030s, there will be eight opportunities to witness a total solar eclipse in various parts of the world.

However, the next one to occur in the U.S. won’t be until 2044, when the path of totality will touch several states in the north of the country, as well as Canada.

In the years ahead, there will also be partial solar eclipses, where the moon covers only part of the sun’s disk, and annular eclipses when the moon is too far from Earth to completely block out the sun’s light. Check the Time and Date website for detailed information on times and locations.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
April’s solar eclipse may produce an unexpected consequence
A total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse is set to occur in the U.S. on April 8, and people are making plans to be in the right place when it happens.

The perfect spot is a 100-mile path stretching from Maine in the northeast all the way to Texas in the south. Being within this path will allow you to experience a fleeting moment that will see daylight diminish and nature’s noises cease as creatures become fooled by the false dusk.

Read more
How to safely watch April’s total solar eclipse, in person or online
A person watches the annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023, in Kerrville, Texas.

Next month will see a rare and exciting astronomical event: a total solar eclipse that will be viewable across much of North America. On Monday, April 8, the moon will pass directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking out the sun's rays and temporarily causing dusk, then darkness in the middle of the day.

In 15 U.S. states, darkness will descend for several minutes across the course of an hour, enabling a unique experience for those within the viewing radius. But though this is a wonderous event to behold, you'll need to be careful if you wish to view the eclipse, as doing so without the right equipment can damage your eyes. NASA has shared tips on how to safely view the eclipse, and the agency will also provide a live stream of views of the eclipse for those who can't see it in person.
How to view the solar eclipse safely
A person watches the annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023, in Kerrville, Texas. NASA

Read more
How to photograph April’s solar eclipse, according to NASA
A total solar eclipse.

How to Photograph a Total Solar Eclipse

Nikon recently shared some tips on photographing April’s total solar eclipse, and NASA is also offering its own ideas.

Read more