This tracker shows verified real eclipse dates and paths. It does NOT show a weather forecast for these dates (too far out for any forecast to be meaningful), your exact local visibility percentage, or sun/moon altitude at eclipse time — those need data or calculations this site doesn't have yet. Use the official NASA/timeanddate links on each eclipse page for precise local circumstances.

Eclipse safety

It is never safe to look directly at the Sun during any partial phase of a solar eclipse — regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not protect your eyes. Use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers certified to the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. The only time it's safe to view a total solar eclipse without protection is during the brief period of totality itself, when the Moon completely covers the Sun. Lunar eclipses, by contrast, are always completely safe to view with the naked eye — no special equipment needed.

Solar vs. lunar eclipses

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth — visible only from a relatively narrow region of the planet. A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting Earth's own shadow onto the Moon — visible from the entire night side of Earth at once, which is why lunar eclipses are seen by far more people than solar eclipses. Eclipses come in pairs roughly two weeks apart, since both require the Sun, Earth, and Moon to be closely aligned.

NASA's official eclipse maps

🎓 Educational Guide: Why Eclipses Occur

The Physics of Syzygy

An eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align closely enough along a straight line — an alignment astronomers call a syzygy. Because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun, this precise alignment only happens a handful of times a year, and only when a new or full moon coincides with the Moon crossing that tilted orbital plane.

Umbra vs. Penumbra Shadow Cones

Every eclipse shadow has two real parts: the umbra, a narrow, dark inner cone where the light source is completely blocked, and the penumbra, a much wider, lighter outer cone where the light source is only partially blocked. Standing inside a solar eclipse's umbra means experiencing totality; standing in the penumbra means seeing only a partial eclipse.

Total, Annular, and Hybrid Variants

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon fully covers the Sun's disk. An annular eclipse happens when the Moon is near apogee, its farthest point from Earth, and appears too small to fully cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring of light. A hybrid eclipse is rarer still, shifting between annular and total along different points of its path as Earth's curvature changes the Moon's apparent distance.

Moon Phase Tonight Night Sky Tonight Aurora Forecast

Eclipses: common questions

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next solar eclipse is the Annular Solar Eclipse on February 6, 2027. Not visible from the United States. The eclipse is a Southern Hemisphere and Atlantic event.

When is the next lunar eclipse?

The next lunar eclipse is the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on February 20–21, 2027. Visible across the continental US as an evening event on February 20, with greatest eclipse in the early evening on the East Coast and late afternoon on the West Coast.

Is there an eclipse today?

Eclipses only happen on specific dates. The live countdowns on this page show exactly how long until the next solar and lunar eclipse — if a countdown reaches zero, that eclipse is happening now.

Can I see the eclipse from where I am?

A lunar eclipse is visible from anywhere on Earth's night side. A solar eclipse is only visible along its path, and totality only inside a narrow track. Each eclipse card links to the official visibility map.

Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse?

Never look at the Sun directly, even during a partial eclipse. Use certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector. Only during the brief moments of totality is it safe to look without protection. Lunar eclipses are always safe to watch.

🌑 Eclipse Tracker

Annular Solar Eclipse Countdown

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Countdown

📍 Local Eclipse Visibility Checker

Upcoming eclipses