Solar Eclipse Calculator
Countdown to Next Solar Eclipse
Next Eclipse: August 12, 2026 (Total)
Upcoming Solar Eclipses
Click any row to view full details
Select an Eclipse for Details
Click any row in the eclipse list to view contact times, magnitude, obscuration, Saros series, and path information for that event.
Eclipse Type Distribution (2025–2030)
Magnitude Scale
How to Use the Solar Eclipse Calculator
Check the Countdown and Next Eclipse
The top of the results panel shows a live countdown to the next upcoming solar eclipse. This updates in real time so you always know how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds remain until the next eclipse event occurs anywhere on Earth.
Browse or Filter the Eclipse List
Use the Eclipse Type filter to narrow the list to Total, Annular, Partial, or Hybrid eclipses. The table shows date, type, magnitude, Saros series number, maximum duration, and visible regions for each upcoming eclipse from 2025 through 2030.
Select an Eclipse for Full Details
Click any row in the eclipse table to load the full detail panel on the right. You will see contact times C1 through C4 in UTC, eclipse magnitude and obscuration with a visual ring diagram, greatest eclipse coordinates, path width, and population statistics.
Export or Print Your Eclipse Report
Use the Export CSV button to download the full eclipse list as a spreadsheet for offline reference or trip planning. Use the Print button to generate a clean, print-friendly eclipse report with all details for the selected event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a total and an annular solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent angular diameter is larger than the Sun's — meaning the Moon is close enough to Earth (near perigee) to completely cover the Sun's disk. Observers in the central path (the umbral shadow) experience a few minutes of darkness, can see the solar corona with the naked eye, and see stars appear. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is near apogee and appears slightly smaller than the Sun. Even though the Moon is centered on the Sun, a bright ring (annulus) of sunlight remains visible around the Moon's silhouette. Annular eclipses cannot produce coronal views. Hybrid eclipses switch between total and annular along the eclipse path as Earth's curvature changes the relative distances.
What do the contact times C1, C2, C3, and C4 mean?
The four contact times define the key phases of a solar eclipse. C1 (First Contact) is when the Moon's limb first touches the Sun's limb — this marks the beginning of the partial eclipse phase. C2 (Second Contact) is when the Moon fully enters the Sun's disk, marking the start of totality or annularity for observers on the central line. C3 (Third Contact) is when the Moon's limb again touches the Sun's limb as it begins to exit — this marks the end of totality or annularity. C4 (Fourth Contact) is when the Moon completely leaves the Sun's disk, ending the partial phase and the entire eclipse. For observers seeing only a partial eclipse, C2 and C3 do not occur. All contact times in this calculator are given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Why is the eclipse magnitude sometimes greater than 1.0?
Eclipse magnitude measures the fraction of the Sun's linear diameter covered by the Moon. For a total eclipse, the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, so magnitude exceeds 1.0. For example, the August 12, 2026 total eclipse has a magnitude of approximately 1.05, meaning the Moon appears about 5% larger in diameter than the Sun at that moment. A magnitude of exactly 1.0 would mean the Moon's edge precisely matches the Sun's — the theoretical boundary between total and annular eclipses. Magnitudes above 1.0 always indicate total eclipses. Magnitudes between 0 and 1.0 indicate partial or annular eclipses, depending on whether the Moon is fully within the Sun's disk.
What is a Saros series, and why does it matter?
A Saros series is a family of solar eclipses that repeat with similar geometry every 6,585.3 days (18 years, 11 days, and about 8 hours). This period is special because 223 synodic months (Moon's cycle relative to the Sun), 239 anomalistic months (Moon's elliptical orbit cycle), and 242 draconic months (Moon's node crossing cycle) all coincide almost exactly. After one Saros period, the Sun, Moon, and lunar node return to nearly identical relative positions, producing a nearly identical eclipse — but shifted about 120 degrees westward in longitude due to the extra 8 hours. The Saros number is essentially the eclipse's family name. Saros 136, for example, includes some of the longest total solar eclipses in history.
How can I find out if a solar eclipse is visible from my location?
Each eclipse entry in this calculator lists the visible regions where the eclipse can be observed — these are broad geographic areas where some portion of the eclipse is visible. For a total or annular eclipse, the central path (umbral or antumbral shadow) is narrow, often only 50 to 300 kilometers wide, and moves rapidly across Earth's surface. Only observers within this narrow band see totality or annularity. Observers within a few thousand kilometers on either side of the central path see a partial eclipse of varying magnitude. The greatest eclipse coordinates (latitude and longitude) show where the eclipse reaches its maximum magnitude. For precise local contact times and local magnitude, specialized per-city calculators using Besselian elements and your exact coordinates are needed.
Is it safe to photograph a solar eclipse without a filter?
Photographing the Sun without a proper solar filter on your camera or telescope lens can permanently damage your camera sensor and — if you look through an optical viewfinder — your eyes. During the partial phases before and after totality, and during any annular or partial eclipse, a certified solar filter must be placed in front of the camera lens or telescope objective. Only during the brief totality phase of a total solar eclipse can you remove the filter to capture the corona, prominences, and chromosphere. Use an intervalometer or remote shutter release to minimize vibration. For video, shoot in high frame rate to capture the diamond ring and Baily's beads at second and third contact. Always reattach the solar filter before totality ends.