Six minutes of darkness: Rare August 2027 solar eclipse will be the longest seen from land in over a century

Economic Times

3 days ago

Why will the solar eclipse last so long
Live Events
The path of the eclipse
Southern Spain
Northern Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
North-eastern Libya and central Egypt
Sudan's north-east
South-western Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Northern Somalia
Will it be visible in India?
High chances of clear skies
A rare opportunity
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On the afternoon of 2 August 2027, skies will suddenly darken over southern Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East. Not from clouds. Not from storms. But from a rare total solar eclipse that's already being called one of the most remarkable of the century.At its peak, the Moon will completely cover the Sun for 6 minutes and 23 seconds — an unusually long stretch for a total eclipse. Most last under three minutes. This one will linger more than twice as long.According to Space.com, 'From 1991 to 2114, this will be the longest total solar eclipse visible from land.'That makes it a one-of-a-kind experience for millions living under its path.The eclipse's long duration comes down to a rare alignment between Earth, the Moon and the Sun.According to Zee News , 'Earth will be at aphelion — that's when it's farthest from the Sun. This makes the Sun look a bit smaller than usual.'At the same time, the Moon will be at perigee, its closest point to Earth, appearing larger in the sky. This combination — a slightly smaller Sun and a slightly larger Moon — means the Moon can block the Sun entirely for longer than usual.But there's another factor: geography. The eclipse path lies near the equator, where the Moon's shadow moves more slowly across the Earth's surface. That slow pace gives viewers on the ground even more time in total darkness.The total eclipse will begin over the Atlantic Ocean and move eastwards through:It will then move past the Chagos Archipelago as it exits over the Indian Ocean. In total, the Moon's shadow will stretch around 258 km wide at its broadest point.This route, which crosses deserts, coastlines and ancient cities, gives millions of people a chance to witness it first-hand.As of now, there is no confirmation that the total eclipse will be visible from India.The path will pass well to the west of the subcontinent. While some areas in India's far west may catch a partial eclipse near sunset, most of the country will likely miss it altogether.For Indian skywatchers, this means travelling to North Africa or southern Europe might be the only way to experience it fully.Weather matters. And August offers good odds.Regions like Egypt and Libya tend to be dry and clear during that time of year. That improves visibility dramatically, making it an ideal season to watch the event unfold without weather disruptions.For travellers planning to witness the eclipse in person, this is a key detail worth considering.The upcoming eclipse has already been dubbed the 'Great North African Eclipse' by space commentators. It's not just notable for its length. It's where it's happening — and how perfectly the conditions align.To give some context, the longest recorded total eclipse in history occurred in 743 BC, lasting 7 minutes and 28 seconds. While the 2027 eclipse won't break that ancient record, it will be the longest in modern memory from land.Unlike solar eclipses that come and go with little fanfare, this one is likely to draw millions. 'Crores of people across multiple continents will witness this rare sight,' noted Zee News.It won't happen again until 2114.Whether you're in southern Spain, along the Nile in Egypt, or following the event from afar, this eclipse stands out not just for its science — but for the spectacle.It's a reminder of how rare and precise these cosmic alignments really are. One that, for many, may never repeat in their lifetime.On 2 August 2027, the sky will offer something truly extraordinary. Not a light show, but a brief, perfect darkness that connects continents and generations.Don't miss it.