Two eclipses will cross Montreal's sky this August—here's when to watch

Quebec will witness two eclipses within two weeks in August, offering stargazers and photographers distinct viewing experiences without the need for special equipment.

The first occurs on August 12, when a partial solar eclipse passes over the province in the early afternoon. The moon will slide between the sun and Earth, blocking roughly 25 percent of the sun's disc in Quebec—far less dramatic than the total eclipse Montrealers experienced on April 8, 2024, but still worth watching. Viewing is expected between roughly 12:50 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., though exact timing varies slightly by location. Solar eclipse glasses are essential: the sun's rays are just as harmful during a partial eclipse as on any other day.

Two weeks later, on the night of August 27 into the early morning of August 28, the moon will enter Earth's shadow. According to the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, the eclipse begins at 9:23 p.m. EDT when the moon enters the penumbra (Earth's outer shadow). The more noticeable partial phase starts at 10:33 p.m. as the moon moves into the umbra (darker inner shadow), peaking at 12:12 a.m. with approximately 93 percent of the moon's diameter covered. The event concludes by 3:01 a.m.

Unlike the solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse requires no equipment—you can watch with the naked eye from your backyard. As the moon passes deeper into Earth's shadow, sunlight stops reaching it directly, causing it to take on a reddish glow similar to a sunset. This will be Quebec's last lunar eclipse of 2026. The next partial lunar eclipse won't occur until January 11-12, 2028, and a total lunar eclipse isn't due again until June 25-26, 2029.

Between the two eclipses, Quebec will also see the Perseids meteor shower peak the night of August 12-13. A new moon on August 12 means no moonlight will compete with the meteors.