ISLAMABAD – The year 2026 will be marked by four significant eclipses, including two solar and two lunar events, offering a rare celestial spectacle.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued schedule of the four eclipses, stating that these will be visible in various parts of the world, although some regions, including Pakistan, will miss out on certain events.
First Solar Eclipse of 2026
The first annular solar eclipse of 2026 will occur on February 17. This event will be visible from Antarctica, with a partial eclipse visible across regions including Antarctica, Africa, South America, and various oceans. Unfortunately, the eclipse will not be visible in Pakistan.
Key timings for Pakistan Standard Time (PST) are as follows:
Partial Eclipse Begins: 14:56 PST
Total Eclipse Begins: 16:43 PST
Maximum Eclipse: 17:12 PST
Total Eclipse Ends: 17:41 PST
Partial Eclipse Ends: 19:28 PST
First Total Lunar Eclipse of 2026
A total lunar eclipse will take place on March 3, 2026, visible across Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and various oceans. In Pakistan, the eclipse will be partially visible at moonrise. The timings in Pakistan Standard Time are:
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 13:44 PST
Partial Eclipse Begins: 14:50 PST
Total Eclipse Begins: 16:05 PST
Maximum Eclipse: 16:34 PST
Total Eclipse Ends: 17:03 PST
Partial Eclipse Ends: 18:17 PST
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 19:23 PST
Second Solar Eclipse of 2026
The total solar eclipse will take place on August 12-13, 2026 and it will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal. A partial eclipse will be seen across Europe, Africa, North America, and various oceans. It will not be visible in Pakistan. The following are the key timings for Pakistan Standard Time:
Partial Eclipse Begins: 20:34 PST on August 12
Total Eclipse Begins: 21:58 PST on August 12
Maximum Eclipse: 22:46 PST on August 12
Total Eclipse Ends: 23:34 PST on August 12
Partial Eclipse Ends: 00:58 PST on August 13
Second Lunar Eclipse of 2026
A partial lunar eclipse will occur on August 28, 2026, visible across Europe, Western Asia, Africa, North and South America, and various oceans. It will not be visible in Pakistan. The eclipse will begin with the penumbral phase and reach its maximum before ending. The timings in PST are:
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 06:24 PST
Partial Eclipse Begins: 07:34 PST
Maximum Eclipse: 09:13 PST
Total Eclipse Ends: 10:52 PST
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 12:02 PST
These four eclipses will provide an opportunity for skywatchers around the world to witness extraordinary celestial phenomena.
