It will be over a decade before we experience another total eclipse, and a lot can change in that time. Where will we be in 2026, when we cast our eyes skyward?

Between now and 2026, the we will experience partial eclipses every two to three years, but to experience a coverage of more than 80 per cent across the UK we’ll have to wait another 11 years. So, what will have happened between now and then? Some events are as sure as day follows night (on non-eclipse days, that is), but others may not be quite so dependable. We look at milestones that we can expect to reach by the next total eclipse, and some that may still be eluding us.

1. We will have collected our medals at the Rio and Tokyo summer Olympics by 2026, and attended a third. Bids for the 2024 Olympics have not been put in yet, but Italy, Germany and the US have all expressed a wish to host.

2. You could be watching the next solar eclipse from your window seat on the on the HS2, but only if you’re travelling the Birmingham-London route. The Birmingham-Manchester/ Leeds won’t be finished until 2032/3 – and that`s only if construction runs on time.

3. In 2026 the state pension will have risen to 67, according to projections by Standard Life. Don’t be disheartened, you’ll need every extra year of work if you’re able to afford your house - prices are estimated to rise by 42 per cent by 2020, according to a report from the National Housing Federation.

4. A hot topic in recent years, the subject of climate change continues. Computer models indicate a rise in temperature, averaged globally, of 0.5-1.0°C between 2006 and 2026. However, that average may drop off when the earth is plunged into darkness on 12th August 2026.


5. If founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk’s ambitions are realised, we will have humans on Mars by 2026. Musk, whose long term plan is to build a city on the red planet, with or without the help of Nasa, hasn’t said if the 2026 eclipse will be visible from Mars, but it’s worth packing your glasses, just in case.

More about: