Total solar eclipse on 2 August 2027 to exceed six minutes of totality in Egypt

The "eclipse of the century" on 2 August 2027

On 2 August 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Maximum totality will reach 6 minutes and 23 seconds in Egypt according to Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN), or 6 minutes and 22 seconds per other sources. The event is widely described as the "eclipse of the century" and will be the longest total solar eclipse visible on accessible land until 2114. The previous total eclipse exceeding six minutes occurred in 1991.

The eclipse will begin over the Atlantic Ocean at 07:30 GMT and end over the Indian Ocean at 14:43 GMT, spanning 313 minutes from start to finish. The Moon's shadow will cross the Strait of Gibraltar, continue along the North African coast through Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya to Egypt, then cross the Red Sea into Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and northeastern Somalia before terminating over the Indian Ocean.

Where totality will be visible

In Egypt, Luxor will experience near-maximum totality at 6 minutes and 22 seconds, while Asyut will see 6 minutes and 7 seconds and the Siwa oasis 5 minutes and 33 seconds. Saudi Arabia's space agency has reported that total darkness will last approximately six minutes in the country's southern regions, such as Abha, with 5 minutes and 50 seconds in Jeddah and 5 minutes and 10 seconds in Mecca.

In Europe, Gibraltar will offer 4 minutes and 28 seconds of totality, while the Spanish cities of Marbella and Cádiz will see 3 minutes and 21 seconds and 2 minutes and 56 seconds respectively. Spain's North African exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla will experience 4 minutes and 49 seconds and 4 minutes and 34 seconds. The Italian island of Lampedusa will have 2 minutes and 56 seconds of darkness. In Morocco, Tangier will be covered for 4 minutes and 51 seconds, and in Tunisia, the port city of Sfax will see 2 minutes and 56 seconds.

Contrast with the 2026 eclipse

The 2027 eclipse differs from the 12 August 2026 total eclipse in two key ways. The 2026 event reached a maximum of only 2 minutes and 18 seconds of totality near Iceland, while the 2027 eclipse will exceed six minutes. Additionally, the 2026 eclipse occurred in late afternoon near dusk in Spain, whereas the 2027 event will take place in the morning, producing a more pronounced contrast between daylight and sudden darkness.

Preparations and safety

Hotels in cities along the eclipse path are already largely booked. Dr. Kelly Korreck, NASA's program scientist for eclipses, has explained that temperatures can drop by up to 10°C during totality, offering relief from the intense heat in these regions. The Saudi Space Agency has urged observers to avoid looking directly at the Sun and to use specific protective glasses or binoculars with filters.

Upcoming eclipses

After the 2027 total eclipse, an annular solar eclipse will occur on 26 January 2028, when the Moon will not fully cover the solar disk, creating a "ring of fire" effect. Maximum annularity will reach 10 minutes and 27 seconds in Brazil, making it one of the longest annular eclipses of the century. The annular phase will begin in the Pacific Ocean, cross much of South America including Ecuador, Peru, southern Colombia, Brazil, Suriname and French Guiana, and reach Portugal (including the Azores) before ending in Spain. A total eclipse will also visit Australia and New Zealand on 22 July 2028, with Sydney, Queenstown, and Dunedin in the path of totality.