TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two striking celestial events will grace the Canadian skies this week: a partial solar eclipse, and the famed Perseid meteor shower.
While both phenomena are not typically rare by themselves, the fact of them happening at the same time is a fortunate happenstance.
So, Canadians, get your gear out and prepare to gaze at the sky day and night for the eclipse and the Perseids on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
What it means for the solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower to peak on the same day
While the path of totality will be elusive to North America, 26 U.S. states and every province and territory in Canada will still see a partial eclipse on August 12, where the Moon blocks some of the Sun's light.
Then, as night falls, Earth will pass through the debris left behind by a comet, creating beautiful showers of shooting stars, or meteor trails, known as the Perseids.
The Perseid meteor shower is dubbed one of the best all year, since it's known to produce extra bright, dramatic meteors that is easily visible to naked eye.
And, since it happens at the same time as the solar eclipse, it will be even easier to spot.
According to BBC Sky at Night Magazine, a meteor shower's success depends on the absence of light pollution. The moonlight, beautiful as it is, acts like a natural light pollution that washes out all the dimmer shooting stars.
Meanwhile, solar eclipses happen during new Moon, when the Earth-facing side of the Moon remains in darkness, eliminating the disruptive lunar glare. Thus, providing that the skies are cloudless in Canada, the Perseids viewing is likely to be a success.
When and where to see the partial solar eclipse in Canada?
In Canada, the eclipse will happen over the course of the day. The event will kick off in western Canada shortly after 8:30 a.m. local time and continues into the late afternoon in Atlantic Canada.
The solar eclipse will end in Newfoundland and Labrador at 4:38 p.m. NDT.
The obscuration level also differs across the country, with the northernmost parts of Canada seeing the deepest views. Meanwhile, the southernmost part of Vancouver and British Columbia's Lower mainland will miss the event altogether.
Citing Forbes, here are notable locations where the partial solar eclipse will be visible in Canada, including the maximum obscuration level and when the eclipse will peak at the location:
- Iqaluit, Nunavut — 61% (1:24 p.m. EDT)
- St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador — 53% (3:34 p.m. NDT)
- Moncton, New Brunswick — 32% (2:55 p.m. ADT)
- Halifax, Nova Scotia — 31% (3:00 p.m. ADT)
- Churchill, Manitoba — 27% (12:02 p.m. CDT)
- Québec City — 24% (1:46 p.m. EDT)
- Whitehorse, Yukon — 23% (9:26 a.m. MST)
- Montréal — 18% (1:45 p.m. EDT)
- Ottawa — 15% (1:42 p.m. EDT)
It is worth noting that according to Space.com, first contact and last contact of the eclipse happen around 55 minutes before and after the peak of the event.
When and where to see the Perseid meteor shower in Canada?
The Perseids are active between July 17 and August 24, but it will peak overnight on August 12–13. According to Forbes, observers could see 60 to 100 meteors per hour under the darkest sky, with activity building after midnight and peaking about 2:00 a.m. local time.
Where to watch the Perseid meteor shower?
The best way to see the Perseids is to get away from city lights. To do this, you can visit some of the designated Dark Sky Preserves across the country, to ensure minimal light pollution.
Citing Outside Magazine, it is also advisable to avoid dense forest and instead head to large open fields, a large lakefront, a hilltop, or a prairie. Basically, avoid any places where the skyline may be obscured by high-rise objects.
How to safely see the partial solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower
The Perseids are best caught with naked eye, as assisting tools like telescopes or binoculars may obscure the view.
Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the natural darkness, Forbes advises.
Viewing the meteor shower is all about waiting, so make sure you're comfortable—expect to gaze at the sky for hours at a time.
While it's easier to look up and search for the shooting stars, a solar eclipse is more complicated.
Gazing directly at the Sun during the eclipse could damage your retina; thus, it is necessary to use protective gear, such as the ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses.
If you're not able to get your hand on one of these glasses, don't fret; you can DIY a pinhole projector.
The Royal Museums Green, for example, provide instructions on how to make natural 'pinhole projectors' using pieces of paper, a colander, or tree leaves. The idea is to indirectly see the projected image of the eclipse without seeing it directly in the sky.
Canadians can expect the next total solar eclipse in August 2044, where the path of totality will run across North America.
Read: Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Aug 12-13 in US: When and How to Watch
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