Mark Your Calendar: Total Solar Eclipse To Stun Millions On August 2, 2027
Lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds, this will be the longest eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114, making it a once-in-a-lifetime event for astronomers, skywatchers, and the general public alike.
While most total eclipses last under three minutes, this extraordinary duration will allow for extended observation of the solar corona and a truly immersive spectacle for those positioned along its path.
Where and when to watch
The eclipse's path of totality — where the Moon will completely block the Sun — will begin over the Atlantic Ocean and move eastward.
According to space.com, the shadow, approximately 258 kilometres wide, will pass over southern Spain, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, central Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia, before ending over the Indian Ocean near the Chagos Archipelago.
Cities like Luxor in Egypt are expected to witness over six full minutes of total darkness. Ideal viewing locations include areas like Libya and Egypt, which typically enjoy clear and dry conditions in August — perfect for unobstructed views of the sky.
Local eclipse timing varies. In southern Spain, totality is expected between 1:30pm and 2:00pm CEST. In Egypt and Libya, the peak will occur between 2:00pm and 2:30pm EET.
India will largely miss the event, with only parts of its far western edge possibly seeing a faint partial eclipse near sunset.
What makes this eclipse so special?
Several rare astronomical factors align to make the 2027 eclipse stand out. At the time of the event, Earth will be near aphelion — its farthest point from the Sun — which causes the Sun to appear slightly smaller in the sky. Meanwhile, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest point to Earth, appearing slightly larger.
Additionally, the eclipse's path runs near the equator. This causes the Moon's shadow to move more slowly across the surface of the Earth, contributing to the unusually long duration of totality.
With over six minutes of totality and a broad viewing corridor across several countries, the 2027 total solar eclipse is set to be one of the century's most stunning astronomical events.
Source Gulf News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Mark Your Calendar: Total Solar Eclipse To Stun Millions On August 2, 2027
On August 2, 2027, a rare total solar eclipse will sweep across parts of three continents, offering one of the longest periods of totality seen in over a century. Lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds, this will be the longest eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114, making it a once-in-a-lifetime event for astronomers, skywatchers, and the general public alike. While most total eclipses last under three minutes, this extraordinary duration will allow for extended observation of the solar corona and a truly immersive spectacle for those positioned along its path. Where and when to watch The eclipse's path of totality — where the Moon will completely block the Sun — will begin over the Atlantic Ocean and move eastward. According to the shadow, approximately 258 kilometres wide, will pass over southern Spain, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, central Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia, before ending over the Indian Ocean near the Chagos Archipelago. Cities like Luxor in Egypt are expected to witness over six full minutes of total darkness. Ideal viewing locations include areas like Libya and Egypt, which typically enjoy clear and dry conditions in August — perfect for unobstructed views of the sky. Local eclipse timing varies. In southern Spain, totality is expected between 1:30pm and 2:00pm CEST. In Egypt and Libya, the peak will occur between 2:00pm and 2:30pm EET. India will largely miss the event, with only parts of its far western edge possibly seeing a faint partial eclipse near sunset. What makes this eclipse so special? Several rare astronomical factors align to make the 2027 eclipse stand out. At the time of the event, Earth will be near aphelion — its farthest point from the Sun — which causes the Sun to appear slightly smaller in the sky. Meanwhile, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest point to Earth, appearing slightly larger. Additionally, the eclipse's path runs near the equator. This causes the Moon's shadow to move more slowly across the surface of the Earth, contributing to the unusually long duration of totality. With over six minutes of totality and a broad viewing corridor across several countries, the 2027 total solar eclipse is set to be one of the century's most stunning astronomical events. Source Gulf News
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Longest Land Eclipse in 100 Years Set to Cross Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
A breathtaking celestial event is on its way. On August 2, 2027, people across parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East will witness one of the longest total solar eclipses seen from land in over a century. This rare eclipse will last up to six minutes and 23 seconds — more than double the average duration of most total eclipses, which usually last under three minutes. It's being hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for skywatchers and astronomy lovers around the world. What's Happening? During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow and turning day briefly into night. What makes this one so special is its extraordinary length and wide visibility. Experts say it's the longest eclipse to be visible from land between the years 1991 and 2114. Viewers in the eclipse's path will get an extended opportunity to see the Sun's corona — the outer atmosphere that's usually hidden — and feel the eerie calm of mid-day darkness. Where You Can See It The eclipse will begin over the Atlantic Ocean and sweep eastward across parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, before ending over the Indian Ocean. Some of the best spots to view the eclipse include: Southern Spain Northern Morocco Algeria, Tunisia, Libya Central Egypt Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen Somalia In cities like Luxor, Egypt, total darkness will last over six minutes — an ideal location thanks to its typically clear August skies. Exact timing depends on location. For instance: Southern Spain: Between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM (CEST) Libya and Egypt: Between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM (EET) Unfortunately, India will miss most of the show. Only parts of its far west might catch a faint glimpse of a partial eclipse around sunset. Why This Eclipse is Unique Several rare factors come together to make this eclipse extraordinary: Earth will be at aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun, making the Sun appear slightly smaller. At the same time, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest point to Earth, appearing larger than usual. The eclipse path crosses close to the equator, causing the Moon's shadow to move slower and stretch the duration of totality. In short, this is not just another eclipse — it's a spectacular display of cosmic timing. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a curious skywatcher, August 2, 2027, is a date worth circling on your calendar.
Daily Tribune
17-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Astronomers observe birth of a solar system for first time
AFP | Paris Astronomers said yesterday they had observed the moment when planets start forming around a distant star for the first time, revealing a process that sheds light on the birth of our own solar system. The new planetary system is forming around the baby star HOPS-315 -- which resembles our own Sun in its youth -- 1,300 light years from Earth in the Orion Nebula. Young stars are surrounded by massive rings of gas and dust called protoplanetary discs, which is where planets form. Inside these swirling discs, crystalline minerals that contain the chemical silicon monoxide can clump together. This process can snowball into kilometre-sized "planetesimals", which one day grow into full planets. In our home Solar System, the crystalline minerals that were the starter dough for Earth and Jupiter's core are believed to have been trapped in ancient meteorites. Now astronomers have spotted signs that suggest these hot minerals are starting to solidify in the disc surrounding HOPS315, according to a new study in the journal Nature. "For the first time, we have identified the earliest moment when planet formation is initiated around a star other than our Sun," lead study author Melissa McClure of Leiden University in the Netherlands said in a statement. The minerals around the star were first spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope. Then the astronomers used the European Southern Observatory's ALMA telescope in Chile to find out exactly where the chemical signals were coming from. They discovered that these minerals are in a small portion of the disc which is similar to the asteroid belt that surrounds our Sun. This will allow scientists to watch the process that may have birthed our home planet. "We're seeing a system that looks like what our Solar System looked like when it was just beginning to form," said study co-author Merel van 't Hoff of Purdue University in the US.
