Columbus, OH – Skywatchers across the Ohio Valley will be better positioned than much of the East Coast to catch the most dramatic eclipse of 2026, with viewing conditions that approach the nation’s prime zone.
According to astronomical forecasts, four eclipses will occur in 2026, including two solar and two lunar eclipses. For residents of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, the standout event will be the March total lunar eclipse, which is expected to deliver clearer and longer views than areas farther east.
🌕 March 3, 2026 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Strong Viewing in the Ohio Valley)
The headline sky event of 2026 will be a total lunar eclipse, and the Ohio Valley sits near the eastern edge of the strongest viewing corridor.
According to eclipse timing data, the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow during the early morning hours Tuesday, March 3. Viewers in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg are expected to see most — and in some areas all — of totality, including a noticeable deep red “Blood Moon.”
Unlike the East Coast, where the Moon will be very low or setting, the Moon will remain comfortably above the horizon across much of the Ohio Valley during peak moments.
👉 Lunar eclipses are safe to view without special glasses.
🌞 August 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse (Partial in the Ohio Valley)
A major total solar eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain later in the year. Across the Ohio Valley, the event will appear only as a partial solar eclipse.
During the late morning hours, the Sun will look slightly obscured across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. 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 across the Ohio Valley, though only modest shadowing of the Moon is expected.
🧭 Ohio Valley Eclipse Takeaway
- ⭐ Best local event: March 3 total lunar eclipse
- 👀 Viewing quality: Strong — better than East Coast, just east of peak
- ☀️ Solar eclipse: Partial only
