What Will Happen on August 12? Four Celestial Events and a Rumoured Gravity Blackout
Maine observers can see a partial solar eclipse, 30 to 50 Perseid meteors per hour and a six-planet alignment this week, officials said.
- On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, skywatchers will experience an unusually busy 24-hour period featuring a total solar eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower peak, and a pre-dawn six-planet parade. These events make August 12 one of the most notable dates on the 2026 astronomical calendar.
- A total solar eclipse will cross parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, while a partial eclipse will be visible across North America. Maine will see between 15% and 30% of the sun covered by the New Moon.
- Under a New Moon, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of August 12-13, offering optimal viewing conditions. The American Meteor Society expects around 30 to 50 meteors per hour, known for their bright fireballs and long "wakes."
- Six planets—Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune—will align in the pre-dawn sky on Wednesday. Andrew Fazekas, communications manager for Astronomers Without Borders, notes Saturn and Mars are visible to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a telescope.
- Amid these genuine events, viral social media claims of a "gravity blackout" on August 12 are baseless. Fact-checkers found no credible evidence for a secret NASA project called "Project Anchor" or any scientific basis for the alleged anomaly.
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The Perseid Meteor Shower Will Shine Tonight: Here’s How To See It From Australia
THE RUNDOWN The annual Perseids meteor shower will peak between August 12 and August 13 in Australia. While the event usually favours the Northern Hemisphere some parts of Australia will catch a glimpse. The annual Perseids shower is a August occurence that happens when the earth passes through the debris left by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. The Perseid meteor shower is set to light up the night sky on the morning of August 13 — and while it is tra…
The day of this 12th of August the sky will steal its eyes, because five important astronomical phenomena will occur, starting with the solar eclipse in the northern hemisphere. The total solar eclipse will be the most prominent event of the day, to which will be added the maximum activity of the Perseids and the particular configuration of ... Continue reading "The sky steals its eyes: the five astronomical phenomena that occur on Wednesday 12t…
A total solar eclipse, a parade of six planets, and the peak of the Perseids will mark one of the most special days of this summer.
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