Where in Ukraine are the best places to view the solar eclipse, the planetary alignment, and the Perseid meteor shower: all the details
11 August 21:15
On the night of August 12, 2026, three rare astronomical events will occur simultaneously: a planetary alignment, a solar eclipse, and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Mid-August will bring several spectacular astronomical events. Ukrainians will be able to see a parade of six planets and enjoy the Perseid meteor shower, while residents of the western regions will also be lucky enough to observe a partial solar eclipse.
The visibility of each event depends on the observer’s location: it is impossible to see all three events simultaneously from a single point on Earth.
The Six-Planet Alignment: When to Observe in Ukraine
The first event will be a grand planetary alignment. On the morning of August 12, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will line up in the sky. However, this will not form a perfectly straight line. From Earth, it will appear as though the planets form a wide arc across the sky. The best time to observe this phenomenon is approximately 30–60 minutes before sunrise. To do so, find a spot with the most open horizon possible, where trees and tall buildings won’t obstruct your view.
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Mars and Saturn will be the most visible to observers; they can even be seen with the naked eye. Mercury and Jupiter, on the other hand, will be very low above the horizon, so they will be harder to spot. Binoculars will be needed to observe Uranus, and it’s best to look for Neptune with a telescope.
Where and When the Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible in Ukraine
The total phase of the solar eclipse on August 12 will not be visible in Ukraine, but a partial eclipse will be observable in the western part of the country.
Table: timeanddate
According to the Time and Date service, this phenomenon will be best visible in Uzhhorod, where the Moon will cover 43.44% of the Sun’s disk. There, the eclipse will begin at 8:19 p.m. and reach its maximum at 8:47 p.m. In Lviv, the eclipse will begin at 8:17 p.m., reach its maximum at 8:43 p.m., and the Moon will cover 40.44% of the Sun’s surface.
A slightly smaller phase will be visible in Ternopil—26.41%, peaking at 8:36 p.m.—and in Khmelnytskyi—16.33%, peaking at 8:31 p.m. In Vinnytsia, the Moon will cover only 6.85% of the Sun, with the peak expected at 8:24 p.m.
In Kyiv, the eclipse will be barely noticeable: it will begin around 8:14 p.m., reach its maximum as early as 8:18 p.m., and only about 2.7% of the solar disk will be obscured.
Since the eclipse will occur before sunset, choose viewing locations with an unobstructed western horizon, where buildings, trees, or terrain won’t block your view.
Important: Even when the Sun is low on the horizon or a significant portion of it is obscured by the Moon, you must not look at it without proper eye protection. Regular sunglasses are not suitable for this—special solar eclipse glasses are required.
The 2026 Perseid Meteor Shower: When to Watch the Peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower
Another spectacular event will be the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. The best viewing conditions are expected on the night of August 12–13.
This year, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower coincides with the new moon, which will make it easier to observe this phenomenon. This means that bright moonlight won’t interfere with your ability to see fainter meteors.
That said, you won’t need a telescope or binoculars to observe the Perseids. For the best view, head away from city lights and choose a spot with a wide view of the sky.
Author: Olya Yushko
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