Solar Eclipse 2027: Sun Will Disappear For 6 Minutes; Next Such Event Only In 2114
A rare celestial spectacle is set to unfold on August 2, 2027, as a total solar eclipse will darken skies for nearly six minutes, a phenomenon that won't recur for another 100 years. The eclipse, expected to stir awe and restlessness among observers, will be visible across multiple continents, drawing millions eager to witness the sun disappear completely from view. Crores of people across multiple continents will witness this rare sight, which won't occur again until 2114.
The solar eclipse will commence from the Atlantic Ocean and journey through the Strait of Gibraltar, Southern Spain, Northern Morocco, Northern Algeria, Northern Tunisia, North Eastern Libya, Egypt, Sudan, South Western Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, and other countries within the Arabian Peninsula. However, as it progresses, it will begin to blur over the Indian Ocean.
Historically, the longest total solar eclipse lasted 7 minutes and 28 seconds, occurring in 743 BC. The upcoming eclipse, dubbed the 'Great North African Eclipse', will be visible from many African nations, making it a notable event for the continent. Most solar eclipses are shorter, lasting less than 3 minutes, but this one will cast darkness over parts of the world for a full 6 minutes.
Why Will The 2027 Solar Eclipse Last Nearly Six Minutes?
The extended duration of this eclipse is due to a rare astronomical alignment involving the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Three key reasons contribute to its length: firstly, the Earth will be at its farthest point from the Sun, known as aphelion, causing the sun to appear smaller from Earth. Secondly, the Moon will be closest to the Earth, making it appear larger. Lastly, the shadow of the Moon will fall on the equator and slowly expand, prolonging the period of darkness.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
She Looked In The Mirror And Turned Into A Snake? Viral 'Naagin Reveal' Video Sparks Laughter
The idea is borrowed from a long-running cinematic and folkloric myth, that a shape-shifting serpent (Ichhadhari Naagin), reveals its true self when looking in a mirror A viral Instagram video claiming to capture an Ichhadhari Naagin shedding its disguise in front of a mirror is drawing more laughs than believers, but it also reveals just how far old superstitions have travelled in the age of reels and likes. The video, posted by Instagram user @salman_pathan230, shows a man placing a mirror in front of a snake. As the Bollywood track ' Tere Ishq Ka Mujh Par Hua Ye Asar Hai" from the film Naagin plays in the background, the snake is seen reacting to its reflection, and even lunging at it. Overlaid on the clip is the caption, ' Kaanch ko dekh kar naagin aayi apne asli roop mein (After seeing the mirror, the snake came in its real form)." The idea is borrowed from a long-running cinematic and folkloric myth, that a shape-shifting serpent (Ichhadhari Naagin), reveals its true self when looking in a mirror. This belief has been recycled endlessly in films like Naagin and on television, where snakes are often portrayed as vengeful shapeshifters capable of taking human form. But in reality, there is no scientific basis for such a creature. 'Everything is a legend," as herpetologists have repeatedly stated. No biological or zoological research supports the idea that snakes, or any animal, can consciously transform into humans or retain memories of past lives, as often depicted in mythology. In this particular video, there is no transformation, no hidden form, and certainly no proof of myth meeting reality. What viewers see is a regular snake reacting to its reflection, a behaviour observed in many animals who either mistake it for another creature or feel threatened. Still, the clip has racked up over 1.06 crore views. Thousands have reacted, many with sarcasm. 'You came in your real form, meaning were you roaming around as Reena Roy earlier?" one user commented, poking fun at the film star who played a snake-woman in the original Naagin movie. Another quipped, 'So in which form were you earlier?" while a third wrote, 'That's why they say education is important." Others leaned into parody. 'How am I looking? I want to go and meet Naag ji," one user joked, imagining the snake admiring itself in the mirror. The flood of comments underlines a cultural divide — between old beliefs passed down as oral lore, and younger audiences who meet such claims with irony and humour. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 29, 2025, 20:34 IST News viral She Looked In The Mirror And Turned Into A Snake? Viral 'Naagin Reveal' Video Sparks Laughter Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Solar Eclipse 2025: When is the next celestial display? Date, time, visibility and best locations
Is There a Solar Eclipse on August 2, 2025?? Is August 2, 2025, the Longest Solar Eclipse of the Century? Live Events What Happens During a Solar Eclipse? Partial: Only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, resulting in a crescent-shaped Sun. Total: The Moon completely covers the Sun for a brief moment, turning day into an eerie twilight. Annular: The Moon appears slightly smaller than the Sun, leaving a visible ring of sunlight known as the 'ring of fire.' When Is the Next Solar Eclipse in 2025? Start Time: 17:29 UTC (10:59 PM IST) Maximum Eclipse: 19:41 UTC (1:11 AM IST, September 22) End Time: 21:53 UTC (3:23 AM IST, September 22) Where Will the Solar Eclipse Be Visible in 2025? New Zealand: Cities such as Wellington and Christchurch will experience a significant solar occlusion, ideal for skywatching and photography. Cities such as Wellington and Christchurch will experience a significant solar occlusion, ideal for skywatching and photography. Eastern Australia: Brisbane and Sydney will catch a smaller portion of the eclipse but will still offer striking visuals. Brisbane and Sydney will catch a smaller portion of the eclipse but will still offer striking visuals. Pacific Islands: With low light pollution, regions across the South Pacific will enjoy crisp viewing conditions. With low light pollution, regions across the South Pacific will enjoy crisp viewing conditions. Antarctica: Although sparsely inhabited, research stations in Antarctica will benefit from uninterrupted views under pristine atmospheric conditions. Solar Eclipse 2025: Date, Time, Duration and Visibility USA, UK Canada Date & Duration Start: 17:29 UTC Maximum: ~19:41 UTC (≈1:11 AM IST) End: 21:53 UTC Duration: ~4 hours 24 minutes Visibility Visible in: New Zealand (up to ~80% coverage) Eastern Australia (Sydney, Brisbane) Pacific Islands Antarctica and nearby ocean regions Not visible in: USA, Canada, UK, or virtually all of the Northern Hemisphere Solar Eclipse 2025: Scientific and Photographic Opportunities Researchers utilize eclipse conditions to study shifts in temperature, animal behavior, and atmospheric composition. Photographers can capture dramatic crescent-shaped Suns and elongated shadows, provided they use proper solar filters for camera safety. Eclipse tourism—which combines scenic landscapes with celestial events—has boosted travel to places like New Zealand and Australia, making astronomy part of the adventure. How to Safely Watch the Solar Eclipse Solar Eclipse 2025: Viral Trend or Real Event? Looking Ahead: Future Solar Eclipses February 17, 2026: An annular eclipse (the 'ring of fire') visible across parts of Africa and South America. August 12, 2026: A total solar eclipse that will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and parts of Europe and Russia. February 6, 2027: Another annular eclipse visible from Africa and parts of South America. August 2, 2027: The most eagerly anticipated total solar eclipse for Indian viewers, passing over large swathes of the country, Europe, and North Africa. FAQs Is there a solar eclipse on August 2, 2025? Where did the August 2 Solar eclipse rumor come from? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel As speculation swirls online about a possible solar eclipse on August 2, 2025, the astronomical community has stepped forward to clarify that no such eclipse is scheduled on that date. Instead, attention is turning to a scientifically verified celestial event: a partial solar eclipse set for September 21, 2025. This phenomenon, which will dazzle observers in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, has ignited both interest and misinformation, making fact-checking critical amid trending posts across platforms like X and queries such as 'Is there a solar eclipse on August 2, 2025?' have surged in recent weeks, fueled by viral hashtags and memes. However, astronomers confirm that August 2 holds no eclipse, solar or lunar, on the global calendar this year. The confusion likely stems from early interest in a total solar eclipse scheduled for August 2, 2027, a dramatic event that will be visible in India and other parts of the Eastern set the record straight: the next solar eclipse after the April 2025 total eclipse in North America will occur on September 21, 2025, and it will be partial, not August 2, 2025 is not the longest solar eclipse of the century. In fact, there's no solar eclipse at all on that date. The confusion is widespread, but astronomers have confirmed there will be no eclipse on August 2, 2025,The remarkable eclipse people refer to is scheduled for August 2, 2027. That will be a total solar eclipse, lasting up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible on land in the 21st centuryA solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on portions of Earth's surface. This alignment temporarily blocks sunlight, either partially or fully, depending on the observer's location and the eclipse type. Solar eclipses come in three main forms:The September 21, 2025, event falls into the partial category, delivering a brilliant crescent Sun visible in select Southern Hemisphere partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025, will unfold over a span of 4 hours and 24 minutes, as per the timing may seem nocturnal for Indian audiences, those in regions like New Zealand and parts of Australia will enjoy optimal afternoon and early evening partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025 will not be visible anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, or any part of the mainland, nor in most of the Northern Hemisphere. Instead, skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere are in for a rare treat:This eclipse is known as a deep partial, with visibility limited to Southern Hemisphere regions. While total eclipses tend to draw the largest crowds and headlines, partial eclipses like the September 2025 event carry significant value for scientists and hobbyists alike:Never view a solar eclipse, partial or total, with the naked eye. Experts strongly advise using certified eclipse glasses or solar viewing filters. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not offer sufficient protection and may cause permanent eye indirect viewing, pinhole projectors or real-time broadcasts are safer alternatives. Photographers and telescope users must ensure their equipment is outfitted with solar filters to prevent lens and sensor current viral speculation around an August 2, 2025, eclipse, though ultimately incorrect, has had a positive effect by sparking public interest in celestial events and space education. It also underscores the importance of relying on scientific sources for accurate the September 2025 event, several noteworthy eclipses are on the astronomical calendar:Astronomy lovers in India should mark August 2, 2027, as the next opportunity to witness a total eclipse from home soilNo, there is no solar eclipse scheduled on August 2, 2025. The confusion stems from online rumors and viral social media posts. The next confirmed solar eclipse is a partial eclipse on September 21, rumor likely originated from early excitement about a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, which will be visible in India and parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. This has been mistakenly attributed to 2025 in trending posts on platforms like TikTok and X.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
After the Big Bang: How the first stars lit up our universe
In 1964, two radio engineers at Bell Labs, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson, were trying to calibrate a sensitive antenna. They kept picking up an odd hiss of noise, no matter where they pointed the instrument. At first they blamed pigeons nesting in the dish. But when they ruled out all local interference, they realized they had stumbled upon something big. The hiss was from the cosmic microwave background — the afterglow of the Big Bang. Meanwhile, just 60 kilometers away at Princeton University, physicist Robert Dicke and his team had been working on a theory predicting exactly this signal. They were preparing to build an instrument to detect it when they got a phone call from Bell Labs. As the story goes, Dicke hung up the phone and turned to his colleagues: 'Well, boys, we've been scooped.' So how far back in time was this hiss coming from? To know that we go back billions and billions of years in time About 13.8 billion years ago, the universe began as an almost unimaginably hot and dense point. The Big Bang was not an explosion in space, but an expansion of space itself. In the first few minutes, the simplest elements—hydrogen, helium, and a touch of lithium—were forged. But there were no atoms yet, only a plasma of nuclei and electrons. Roughly 380,000 years later, things cooled enough for electrons to combine with nuclei and form neutral atoms. This event, called recombination, allowed photons—particles of light—to travel freely through space for the first time. That ancient light still surrounds us today as the cosmic microwave background, a faint glow detected in every direction. It is our earliest direct window into the cosmos. At this time the universe was dark. No stars, no galaxies—just a cooling soup of particles and radiation, expanding in silence. For hundreds of millions of years after the Big Bang, there prevailed the cosmic dark ages: a period when the universe was transparent, but no stars had yet formed. It took several hundred million years for tiny gravitational irregularities to grow into dense pockets of gas. These regions collapsed under their own weight, compressed by gravity and cooled by molecular hydrogen, until they ignited. The first stars burst into light. The universe, quite literally, lit up. The very first stars — so-called Population III stars — were unlike any we see today. Born from pristine hydrogen and helium, they were massive, short-lived, and intensely bright. Some may have been hundreds of times the mass of our Sun, burning hot and dying young in titanic supernovae that scattered heavy elements across space. These explosions seeded the universe with the ingredients for future generations of stars, planets, and eventually, life. Their formation also triggered a cosmic transformation known as reionization. The intense ultraviolet radiation from these first stars began breaking apart neutral hydrogen atoms in the surrounding intergalactic medium, re-ionizing the universe and making it once again opaque to certain wavelengths of light. Reionization ended the cosmic dark ages and reshaped the transparency and chemistry of space. Astronomers have spent decades chasing the first stars. In 2001, a team using the Hubble Space Telescope announced they had seen the farthest galaxy then known—light from more than 13 billion years ago. It was a thrilling discovery, but also a reminder of how faint and hard to detect these early objects are. 'We're seeing the toddler photos of the universe,' one researcher quipped. 'It still had cosmic baby fat.' We can't see Population III stars directly—at least not yet. But telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are pushing the observational frontier ever closer to the cosmic dawn. In its first year, JWST has already spotted candidate galaxies that may have existed just 300–400 million years after the Big Bang—possibly home to some of the first star clusters. Understanding this early period is more than a curiosity. It tells us where the elements in our bodies came from, how galaxies like the Milky Way formed, and what the ultimate fate of the cosmos might be. Each new observation peels back another layer of time, taking us closer to the beginning. Going back to the scientists who first gave us evidence on the dawn of our universe. Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson won the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery. Robert Dickie, whose theoretical groundwork had laid the foundation for their success and was poised to discover it himself, never received the prize. Shravan Hanasoge is an astrophysicist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
