In 2026, there will be two solar and two lunar eclipses visible from Earth. From the territory of Bulgaria, we will have the opportunity to observe one solar and one lunar eclipse, reports Pencho Markishki, a physicist from the Institute of Astronomy with the NAO at BAS and the “Astronomy” department of Sofia University (SU) “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
The first solar eclipse of the year will be annular and will occur on February 17th. It will be partially visible from South America, Antarctica, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. It will not be visible from Bulgaria, but it can be partially seen from the Bulgarian Antarctic base “St. Kliment Ohridski” on Livingston Island.
On August 12th, from the northwestern parts of Bulgaria, we will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse with a small phase. The total solar eclipse will be visible from the Arctic, Canada, Alaska, northern Russia, and Europe (excluding the southeastern regions).
Lunar eclipses:
- The first lunar eclipse (March 3rd) will be invisible from Bulgaria.
- On August 28th, in Bulgaria, we will be able to observe the beginning of a partial lunar eclipse until the moment of the Moon's setting.
Other interesting astronomical events are also expected during the year:
- “Super Moons” during the new moon on May 16th and June 15th.
- The full moon on May 31st will be a “blue moon” and a “micro moon”.
- The full moon on the night of June 29th to 30th will be a “micro moon”.
- Meteor showers: Perseids (August 12th to 13th) and Geminids (December 14th).
In addition, there will be good conditions for observing the planets during the year: Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter, which will be visible in the first hours of the January nights. There will also be two planetary parades - at the end of February and at the end of April.
There are hopes for the comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), but it is unlikely to become visible to the naked eye.