Baku: The world is set to witness a series of celestial events in 2026, with two solar and two lunar eclipses expected, as reported by the Department of Astrophysics of the Faculty of Physics at Baku State University (BSU).
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, these astronomical phenomena will capture the attention of sky-gazers globally, though their visibility will vary by location.
The first solar eclipse of the year will take place on February 17, 2026. This eclipse is noted for its repetition of the annular solar eclipse that occurred on February 7, 2008. During this event, the Moon will be further from the Earth, creating a smaller apparent angle than the Sun’s, resulting in the Moon not fully covering the Sun’s surface. This phenomenon will form a bright ring around the Moon, known as an annular solar eclipse. While this eclipse will be visible in Antarctica and parts of the Indian Ocean, it will not be observable from Azerbaijan.
The year’s second solar eclipse is expected on August 12, 2026, and will be a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will echo the total solar eclipse of August 1, 2008, with its path crossing northern North America, northwestern Africa, and Europe. Only regions such as Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, and Krasnoyarsk in Russia will experience the total eclipse. Unfortunately, this celestial event will also not be visible from Azerbaijan.
The first lunar eclipse of 2026 will occur on March 3, featuring a total lunar eclipse. During this event, the Earth’s shadow will completely cover the Moon, leading to the “blood moon” effect. This total lunar eclipse will be visible from Asia, Australia, and North America, but not from Azerbaijan due to the Moon being below the horizon at the time.
On August 28, 2026, the second lunar eclipse will take place, presenting a partial lunar eclipse. This event will be partially visible from Azerbaijan, with the penumbral lunar eclipse observable from 05:23 to 05:55 in the morning, just before moonset. Regions including Europe, Africa, Asia, and America will have a broader view of this partial eclipse, witnessing the Earth’s shadow partially covering the Moon.
These anticipated eclipses provide a unique opportunity for scientists and enthusiasts worldwide to study and enjoy these remarkable natural occurrences, highlighting the intricate dance between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.