Why the Faroe Islands are the place to be this August

The Faroes – 18 windswept islands in the wild North Atlantic, midway between Iceland and Norway – are ideally placed to offer one of 2026’s most memorable astronomical experiences. On 12 August, a deep partial solar eclipse, with more than 90% of the sun obscured, will be followed just hours later by the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Under a new moon, up to 100 meteors an hour could be visible in ideal conditions, with no moonlight to wash out fainter shooting stars.