Now Reading: August 12 brings solar eclipse, planet parade and meteor shower
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August 12 brings solar eclipse, planet parade and meteor shower
A total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, Portugal and northern Russia on August 12, 2026, lasting up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The eclipse will not be…
The Story in Brief
A total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, Portugal and northern Russia on August 12, 2026, lasting up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The eclipse will not be visible from India, though time conversions suggest global phases occur between 9:07 PM IST and 1:22 AM IST.
The same day features a pre-dawn parade of Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune along the morning sky, visible from India with clear skies and optical aid. The Perseid meteor shower peaks that night, potentially reaching 100 meteors per hour under dark skies. A New Moon will keep skies dark, but monsoon clouds may obstruct viewing in parts of India.
The Indian Opinion
Indian readers may feel shortchanged that the total solar eclipse is invisible from here, but August 12 still offers two sky events visible from India: a six-planet dawn parade and the Perseid meteor shower peaking that night. Coverage sometimes exaggerates the rarity of such coincidences. The real test for Indian viewers will be monsoon clouds. Will local weather allow a clear enough sky to spot the planets and meteors before sunrise?
Sources (2): english.mathrubhumi.com, freepressjournal.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
