New Orleans, LA – Skywatchers along the Gulf Coast will be well positioned to see the most dramatic eclipse of 2026, with viewing conditions expected to be stronger than along the Atlantic Coast and competitive with much of the central U.S.
According to astronomical forecasts, four eclipses will occur in 2026, including two solar and two lunar eclipses. For residents of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, the standout event will be the March total lunar eclipse, offering a long overnight viewing window.
🌕 March 3, 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Strong Viewing Along the Gulf Coast)
The headline sky event of 2026 will be a total lunar eclipse, and the Gulf Coast lies within a strong viewing zone, especially compared to regions farther east.
According to eclipse timing data, the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow during the late-night to early-morning hours Tuesday, March 3. Viewers in Houston, Galveston, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Gulfport, Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola, and Panama City are expected to see most — and in many locations all — of totality, including a noticeable deep red “Blood Moon.”
The Moon will remain comfortably above the horizon across much of the Gulf Coast during peak moments, giving viewers more time than the East Coast, where moonset limits visibility.
👉 Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special glasses.
🌞 August 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse (Partial Along the Gulf Coast)
A major total solar eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain later in the year. Along the Gulf Coast, the event will appear only as a partial solar eclipse.
During the late morning hours, the Sun will appear slightly obscured across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. 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 also be visible along the Gulf Coast, though only subtle shadowing of the Moon is expected.
🧭 Gulf Coast Eclipse Takeaway
- ⭐ Best local event: March 3 total lunar eclipse
- 👀 Viewing quality: Strong — better than Atlantic Coast, just south of peak
- ☀️ Solar eclipse: Partial only
