Sunrise, sunset today and astronomical phenomena of 2026: complete guide

Organizing your day to make the most of sunlight is a common practice in agriculture, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. To do this, knowing the exact time of sunrise and the sunset today is essential. Additionally, understanding when the temperature will reach its peak and which astronomical phenomena are approaching allows for more efficient planning. Buenos Aires, as a city located in mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, experiences significant variations in these times throughout the year.

Sunrise in Buenos Aires: morning twilight and exact time of sunrise

According to data from the Naval Hydrographic Service (SHN), morning twilight — the gradual light period that directly precedes sunrise — begins around 6:00 a.m. During this time, although the Sun remains below the horizon, its rays pass through the Earth’s atmosphere, gradually illuminating the sky from dark tones to warmer colors.

The actual sunrise occurs when the upper edge of the Sun emerges above the horizon, marking the official start of the day. In Buenos Aires, this happens approximately at 6:28 a.m., representing the definitive transition from night to full daylight. The accuracy of these times depends directly on latitude: while near the Equator the variations are minimal throughout the year, in mid-latitude regions like Argentina, differences of up to two hours between solstices can occur.

Expected maximum temperature: the hottest moment of the day

According to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), the expected maximum temperature during this period is around 27°C. The specialized platform Windy provides a more precise estimate, indicating that the peak heat occurs around 3:00 p.m.

This phenomenon is due to well-defined physical factors: solar radiation reaches its maximum intensity when the Sun is highest above the horizon, which typically occurs in the afternoon depending on the observer’s latitude. For outdoor activity planning, this data is valuable for choosing times with less solar exposure.

Sunset today: evening twilight and dusk

Sunset today is the opposite of sunrise. It occurs when the upper edge of the Sun completely disappears below the horizon, marking the end of direct sunlight and the transition to night.

According to SHN records, sunset in Buenos Aires occurs around 7:58 p.m. After this event, evening twilight begins around 8:25 p.m. During this twilight period, sunlight continues to scatter in the atmosphere even though the Sun is below the horizon, producing a gradual transition characterized by orange, pink, and purple hues before darkness fully sets in.

Eclipses in 2026: four astronomical events that will mark the year

In 2026, there will be two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses, according to SHN records. Each has distinctive features regarding visibility and formation mechanism.

Annular Solar Eclipse (February 17)

Occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun but is in an orbital position (near apogee) that prevents it from fully covering the solar disk. The result is a bright “ring of fire” around the lunar edge. This eclipse will be partially visible from southern Argentina and Chile, while the annular phase will be observable from Antarctica. Unlike total eclipses, the sky does not darken completely, remaining daylight. Observation requires certified glasses.

Total Lunar Eclipse (March 3)

Earth aligns completely between the Sun and the Moon, casting its umbral shadow on the satellite. During this event, the Moon takes on reddish or copper tones, a phenomenon known as “Blood Moon.” This coloration results from the refraction of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters out blue tones and allows red radiation to pass. The event will be visible across the Pacific Ocean, all of America (including Argentina), eastern Asia, and Australia. Unlike solar eclipses, this can be observed without special protection.

Total Solar Eclipse (August 12)

The perfect alignment of the Moon between Earth and the Sun completely covers the solar disk from a band called the path of totality. In this zone, the day darkens as at dusk, revealing the solar corona — the Sun’s outer atmosphere — visible only during these brief minutes. It will be observable as a partial eclipse in northern United States, western Africa, and Europe, while the total phase will be visible in the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.

Partial Lunar Eclipse (August 28)

Occurs when only a portion of the lunar disk enters Earth’s umbra, while the rest remains illuminated by the Sun. The result is a darkened crescent with reddish tones and the other half bright. This eclipse will be visible in the eastern Pacific Ocean, all of America (including Argentina), Europe, and Africa. It can be observed with the naked eye without protection.

Meteor showers in 2026: the complete astronomical guide

NASA has documented the main meteor showers expected in 2026, offering opportunities throughout the year to observe these celestial displays.

Quadrantids appear between late December and early January, marking the start of the astronomical year of meteor showers. Lyrids occur in late April, providing a notable spring observation. Eta Aquarids emerge between late April and early May, taking advantage of increasingly warm nights.

During the winter, Delta Aquarids of the South and Perseids overlap between late July and early August, offering two consecutive events of notable intensity. Orionids extend from early October to mid-November, accompanying the start of fall. Leonids conclude the active period from early November to early December. Finally, Geminids peak in December.

For observers in the Southern Hemisphere like Argentina, these meteor showers are prime moments to connect with the cosmos, requiring only locations away from light pollution and clear skies. Each event offers dozens to hundreds of meteors visible per hour under optimal conditions.