Boston, MA – Massachusetts residents will have a few chances to watch eclipses in 2026, but astronomers say the most dramatic views this year will favor the Central and Western United States, leaving much of New England — including Massachusetts — on the edge of peak visibility.
According to astronomical forecasts, four eclipses will occur in 2026, including two solar and two lunar eclipses. While Massachusetts will see portions of several events, timing and geography mean viewers will miss the most vivid moments of the year’s top eclipse.
🌕 March 3, 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Best Viewed West of Massachusetts)
This is the most anticipated eclipse of 2026 for Americans, but Massachusetts sits near the eastern edge of the viewing zone.
According to eclipse timing data, the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow during the early morning hours Tuesday, March 3. Viewers across the Central and Western U.S. — including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, and the West Coast — will experience the eclipse in full, with a long-lasting deep red “Blood Moon.”
In Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, and New Bedford, the Moon will be low in the western sky as the eclipse reaches its peak. Residents may catch partial phases and possibly the start of totality, but the longest-lasting and most intense color display will occur farther west.
👉 Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special glasses.
🌞 August 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse (Partial in Massachusetts)
A major total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, drawing global attention. In Massachusetts, the event will appear only as a partial solar eclipse.
During the late morning hours, the Sun will appear slightly covered statewide. Certified solar eclipse glasses are required for safe viewing.
🌕 August 27–28, 2026 — Partial Lunar Eclipse
A second lunar eclipse later in the summer will be visible across Massachusetts, though only modest shadowing of the Moon is expected, making it a quieter skywatching event.
🧭 Massachusetts & U.S. Eclipse Takeaway
- ⭐ Best U.S. viewing: March 3 lunar eclipse (Central & Western states)
- 👀 Massachusetts viewing: Partial to early total phases
- ☀️ Solar eclipse: Partial only; totality occurs overseas
