August 2026 to bring total solar eclipse over Europe and near-perfect Perseid conditions

August 2026 will offer sky-watchers a total solar eclipse visible over a small part of Europe and near-ideal conditions for observing the Perseid meteor shower. Throughout the month a morning planetary parade will feature Mars, Uranus, Saturn and Neptune, with Mercury and Jupiter joining close to dawn. A second eclipse and the start of the aurora season are also expected before the month ends.