Apr 3 – Apr 17: total lunar in Libra and partial solar in Aries
Sep 26 – Oct 12: total lunar in Aries and partial solar in Libra
The 1996 eclipses fall on the Aries–Libra axis. Eclipses stay on one pair of opposite signs for about a year and a half before moving back one sign.
Total lunar eclipse in ♎︎ Libra — April 3, 1996
14°32′ Libra · North Node ☊︎ · 87 min of totality
Greatest eclipse: Apr 3, 1996, 7:09 PM ET (1996-04-04 00:09 UTC). The umbral (visibly dark) phase lasts 218 minutes, including 87 minutes of totality.
In the US: New York. Elsewhere: São Paulo, London, Madrid, Cairo, Lagos, Dubai and Mumbai. (Moon above the horizon at mid-eclipse, Apr 3, 1996, 7:09 PM ET.)
A lunar eclipse is a supercharged Full Moon. Astrologers read it as a culmination or release around partnerships, agreements and fairness (Libra), with the Sun opposite in Aries. It falls near the North Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to growth and new direction. The Libra–Aries axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 14°32′ Libra or Aries.
Partial solar eclipse in ♈︎ Aries — April 17, 1996
28°11′ Aries · South Node ☋︎ · Moon covers part of the Sun
Not visible from any of the major cities we check; mostly over ocean or polar regions.
A solar eclipse is a supercharged New Moon. Astrologers read it as a sudden opening or fresh start around impulsive decisions, independence and new starts (Aries). It falls near the South Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to letting go and endings. The Aries–Libra axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 28°11′ Aries or Libra.
Total lunar eclipse in ♈︎ Aries — September 26, 1996
4°19′ Aries · South Node ☋︎ · 70 min of totality
Greatest eclipse: Sep 26, 1996, 10:54 PM ET (1996-09-27 02:54 UTC). The umbral (visibly dark) phase lasts 204 minutes, including 70 minutes of totality.
In the US: New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Elsewhere: Mexico City, São Paulo, London, Madrid, Cairo and Lagos. (Moon above the horizon at mid-eclipse, Sep 26, 1996, 10:54 PM ET.)
A lunar eclipse is a supercharged Full Moon. Astrologers read it as a culmination or release around impulsive decisions, independence and new starts (Aries), with the Sun opposite in Libra. It falls near the South Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to letting go and endings. The Aries–Libra axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 4°19′ Aries or Libra.
Partial solar eclipse in ♎︎ Libra — October 12, 1996
19°31′ Libra · North Node ☊︎ · Moon covers part of the Sun
Greatest eclipse: Oct 12, 1996, 10:02 AM ET (1996-10-12 14:02 UTC).
Seen from major cities
City
Sun covered
Maximum (local time)
London
51%
Oct 12, 3:17 PM
Madrid
33%
Oct 12, 4:32 PM
Cairo
18%
Oct 12, 5:17 PM
Cities not listed see no eclipse, or the Sun is below the horizon. Never look at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses, except during the brief total phase.
A solar eclipse is a supercharged New Moon. Astrologers read it as a sudden opening or fresh start around partnerships, agreements and fairness (Libra). It falls near the North Node, traditionally the side of the axis linked to growth and new direction. The Libra–Aries axis matters most if you have planets or angles within a few degrees of 19°31′ Libra or Aries.
Peak times are greatest eclipse, computed with Astronomy Engine and rounded to the minute. Local times are for each city’s own time zone. All eclipses 1950–2050 (CSV) · Methodology
Frequently asked questions
When are the eclipses in 1996?
1996 has 4 eclipses — 2 solar and 2 lunar: Apr 3 (total lunar, Libra); Apr 17 (partial solar, Aries); Sep 26 (total lunar, Aries); Oct 12 (partial solar, Libra).
Is there a total solar eclipse in 1996?
No. The solar eclipses of 1996 are partial (Apr 17) and partial (Oct 12).
Can you see the 1996 eclipses from the United States?
2 of them: the total lunar eclipse on Apr 3 (New York); the total lunar eclipse on Sep 26 (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles).
What zodiac signs are the 1996 eclipses in?
Libra (Apr 3), Aries (Apr 17), Aries (Sep 26) and Libra (Oct 12). They fall on the Aries–Libra axis.
Astrology is a symbolic and cultural tradition. The planetary positions on this site are calculated with astronomical accuracy; the interpretations describe what astrologers associate with them and are not scientifically validated predictions about personality, relationships or the future.