Getting Ready for the Longest Solar Eclipse of the Century in 2027 -Here's What You Need to Know

A spectacular celestial event is on the horizon: the longest total solar eclipse in over 100 years. Set to occur in August 2027, this eclipse promises an extraordinary duration of totality for skygazers across multiple continents.

Eclipse: When is it, and How Long Will it Last?

Circle August 2, 2027 on your calendar.

This will be a very special eclipse because the Moon will be at just about perigee (its point of closest approach to Earth), while the Earth is near aphelion (farthest from the Sun), providing excellent conditions for a long shadow. The maximum duration of totality—the amount of time when the Sun will be completely obscured by the Moon—will be 6 minutes and 23 seconds.

Where is the Path of Totality?

The narrow strip where the total eclipse will be visible on Earth is the "path of totality". During the event of 2027, this will be approximately 258-kilometer-wide.

This pathway starts over the Atlantic Ocean to make a landfall in Southern Europe and North Africa, crossing:

Europe: Southern Spain (including Gibraltar)

Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt

Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia

The absolute maximum, 6 minutes and 23 seconds, will occur in Upper Egypt, close to the ancient city of Luxor.

What about other areas? A partial solar eclipse will be visible throughout most of Europe, the remainder of Africa, and western Asia on this date.

How to View the Eclipse Safely - 

Seeing a total solar eclipse is considered a once-in-a-lifetime event, and, importantly, one should not compromise with safety.

You must use proper eye protection to view the partial phases of the eclipse before and after the totality. That means using certified solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.

It is only during the short period of totality, and only if you are within the narrow path of totality, that one can safely view the eclipse without filters.

Now is the time to start planning your trip to see this historic astronomical event!