August 2026 is one of the most event-packed months of the year for astrophotographers — and perhaps the busiest for years. On August 12, it not only delivers a rare total solar eclipse across parts of the Northern Hemisphere, but also a partial solar eclipse that’s deep across Europe and shallow in parts of North America. Just hours later, overnight on 12-13 August, comes the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, the best display of “shooting stars” in 2026. Add Venus, which in mid-month begins to shrink to a crescent as it approaches Earth — getting brighter as it does — and a partial lunar eclipse late in the month, and August becomes a showcase of multiple types of astronomical targets.
