August 12: The Sun Will Disappear—Then the Sky Will Fill With Meteors
Community Score: 50% | 3.3K views | 1w
0 community ratings: null thumbs up, null thumbs down
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will turn daylight into darkness across parts of Europe—then the Perseid meteor shower will approach its peak beneath an exceptionally dark, moonless sky. The path of totality will cross Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and a small part of northeastern Portugal. Much of Europe, northern North America and northwestern Africa will experience a partial solar eclipse. But the eclipse will only be the first act. Because a solar eclipse occurs during a new Moon, there will be almost no moonlight when the Perseids peak on the night of August 12 into August 13. Under clear, dark conditions, observers may see dozens of meteors per hour, including occasional bright fireballs. In this video, we follow the Moon’s shadow across Earth, explain why the new Moon creates excellent Perseid viewing conditions, and reveal how tiny fragments left behind by Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle produce one of the year’s most spectacular meteor showers. We also explain where the
Tags: space news, nasa, nasa space news, 2026 total solar eclipse, total solar eclipse 2026, Perseid meteor shower 2026, Perseids 2026, August 2026 sky events, August 12 sky event, path of totality 2026, Comet Swift Tuttle, Swift Tuttle debris, new moon August 2026, how to watch solar eclipse, how to watch Perseids, solar eclipse safety, meteor shower August 2026, best sky events 2026, astronomy events 2026, night sky August 2026
More from NASA Space News
- Moon’s Two Faces FINALLY Explained? Artemis II & Chang’e-6 Reveal a Hidden Secret — Score: 50%
- It may be older than the universe itself — NASA puzzled by this star that breaks cosmic logic — Score: 50%
- NASA’s Voyager Found Something Wild — Now Humanity Is Replying — Score: 50%
- New Images and Methods from Euclid Reveal Hidden Cosmic Lenses Across the Universe — Score: 50%
- Changes Everything! Scientists Just Confirmed the Universe Doesn't Match Our Models — Score: 50%
- Happening! Private Space Station Being Assembled for Launch — Score: 50%