Russians will see several solar and lunar eclipses in 2026.

      03 January 2026 10:45 Science

      Several lunar and solar eclipses are expected in 2026, two of which will be visible from Russian territory in August. RIA Novosti was told this by senior researcher at the Institute of Applied Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Zheleznov.

      As the astronomer explained, eclipses usually occur in pairs two weeks apart — first a lunar then a solar eclipse, or vice versa. The first of them, an annular solar eclipse, will take place on February 17, but will only be visible in the southern hemisphere.

      Two weeks later, on March 3, a total lunar eclipse is expected, which residents of the western hemisphere will be able to observe.

      A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12. It will be visible in Russia as well, although over most of the European territory it will be partial.

      According to Zheleznov, the path of totality will run from Cape Chelyuskin across the North Pole, then through Greenland, Iceland, Spain and end in the Mediterranean Sea.

      Partial phases of the eclipse will be visible in the European part of Russia. In St. Petersburg the phase will be 0.83, in Murmansk — 0.84, in Kaliningrad — 0.85. An almost total eclipse — with a phase of 0.99 — is expected at Cape Chelyuskin. In Moscow the Moon will cover only about 5% of the solar disk (a phase of 0.05).

      Another eclipse will occur two weeks later — on August 28. It will be a partial lunar eclipse, which can be observed at dawn in the European part of Russia. The maximum phase will be 0.94.

      Recall that residents of Nizhny Novgorod observed a total lunar eclipse in September 2025, and a partial one in March.

      NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay informed about the main events, exclusive materials and up-to-date information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is required. This resource may contain 18+ materials.