Eclipses in 2026

The moon’s orbit is tilted about five degrees to the earth’s, so at most new moons its shadow misses us and at most full moons it passes above or below our shadow. Only when a new or full moon happens near one of the two points where the orbits cross can an eclipse occur.

Those crossing points line up with the sun twice a year, for about a month each time, and a lunar eclipse falls roughly a fortnight either side of a solar one. That is why eclipses arrive in pairs, and occasionally in threes, and then nothing for months.

Never look at a partially eclipsed sun without a proper solar filter. Sunglasses, exposed film and smoked glass are not filters, and the damage is painless while it happens.