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What Will Happen on August 12? Four Celestial Events and a Rumoured Gravity Blackout
Maine observers can see a partial solar eclipse, 30 to 50 Perseid meteors per hour and a six-planet alignment this week, officials said.
- On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, skywatchers will experience an unusually busy 24-hour period featuring a total solar eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower peak, and a pre-dawn six-planet parade. These events make August 12 one of the most notable dates on the 2026 astronomical calendar.
- A total solar eclipse will cross parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, while a partial eclipse will be visible across North America. Maine will see between 15% and 30% of the sun covered by the New Moon.
- Under a New Moon, the Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of August 12-13, offering optimal viewing conditions. The American Meteor Society expects around 30 to 50 meteors per hour, known for their bright fireballs and long "wakes."
- Six planets—Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune—will align in the pre-dawn sky on Wednesday. Andrew Fazekas, communications manager for Astronomers Without Borders, notes Saturn and Mars are visible to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a telescope.
- Amid these genuine events, viral social media claims of a "gravity blackout" on August 12 are baseless. Fact-checkers found no credible evidence for a secret NASA project called "Project Anchor" or any scientific basis for the alleged anomaly.
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19 Articles
19 Articles
Spectrum Local News+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Planets on parade: 6 planets line up in the sky
Six planets will align in the sky early on Aug. 12.
·United States
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Egypt’s Skies Are in for a Rare Celestial Show, Tomorrow August 12
Skywatchers around the world are set to witness a rare combination of four astronomical events on Wednesday, 12 August, including a new moon, a six-planet alignment, a total solar eclipse and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. While the solar eclipse will not be visible from Egypt, several of the other celestial events will offer opportunities for observation from the country. The first event is expected to be a new moon, which will occur at…
·Cairo, Egypt
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Three phenomena can be observed in the sky this Wednesday, August 12. You will need a good spot, a little luck and material.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
12%
C 69%
R 19%
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