The key facts
- Date: Monday 2 August 2027.
- Type: total solar eclipse.
- Path of totality: a band about 250 km wide crossing the Atlantic, southern Spain and Gibraltar, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia, before ending over the Indian Ocean.
- Longest totality: about 6 minutes 23 seconds, near Luxor, Egypt. It is widely described as the longest totality visible from land between 1991 and 2114. (The eclipse of 22 July 2009 lasted longer at its maximum, 6 minutes 39 seconds, but that point was over the Pacific Ocean.)
- Partial eclipse: visible across a much wider area, including much of Europe, North and East Africa, the Middle East and parts of western and South Asia.
These figures come from standard eclipse predictions published by NASA and other astronomical sources. Exact local times and durations depend on where you stand: check a detailed eclipse map for your location.
What happens in a total eclipse
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun and completely covers the Sun's bright disc. In the narrow path where this happens:
- The sky darkens to deep twilight in the middle of the day.
- Bright planets and stars appear.
- The Sun's corona, its glowing outer atmosphere, becomes visible as silvery streamers.
- The temperature can drop noticeably, and birds and animals often behave as if it were evening.
Outside the path, people see a partial eclipse, with a "bite" taken out of the Sun but no darkness.
Why it lasts so long
Three things line up:
- The Sun looks slightly smaller, because Earth is near its farthest point from the Sun in early July and still close to it in August.
- The Moon looks larger, because it is near the closest point in its orbit.
- The path runs close to the equator, where Earth's rotation carries the ground in the same direction as the Moon's shadow at the highest speed, so the shadow passes more slowly over any given place.
Where to watch it
| Region | Typical totality | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Spain (around Cádiz, Tarifa, Málaga region) | Up to about 4 to 4.5 minutes | Easy to reach from Europe; the eclipse happens in the morning, and summer crowds and prices are high |
| Gibraltar and northern Morocco (Tangier, Tetouan) | About 4.5 to 5 minutes | Short journeys from Europe |
| Algeria, Tunisia, Libya | About 5 to 6 minutes | Good August weather prospects; check travel advice before planning |
| Egypt (Luxor, Aswan region) | Up to about 6 minutes 23 seconds | Longest totality, very good weather prospects, major tourist infrastructure; very hot in August |
| Western Saudi Arabia (around Jeddah, Mecca, Medina regions) | About 5 to 6 minutes | Clear skies likely; check entry rules for some areas |
| Yemen and Somalia | Shorter | Check current travel advice |
Durations are approximate; exact figures depend on how close you are to the centre line. The centre of the path gives the longest totality.
Planning tips
- Book early. Hotels in Luxor and southern Spain are expected to fill up, and eclipse tours are already on sale.
- Check weather statistics, not only the length of totality. North Africa and Arabia generally have very clear skies in August; coastal Spain and Morocco are mostly sunny but can have morning haze or low cloud near the sea.
- Plan for heat in Egypt and Arabia, where temperatures can exceed 40°C.
- Be mobile if you can, so you can move away from local cloud on the day.
- Check travel advice from your government for each country on the path.
How to watch safely
Never look at the Sun directly without proper protection, except during the brief minutes of totality.
- Use certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard, from a reputable supplier. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe.
- Inspect glasses before use. Do not use them if scratched or damaged.
- Use a solar filter on cameras, binoculars and telescopes. Looking through them without a filter, even with eclipse glasses on, can cause instant, severe eye damage.
- Projection methods, such as a pinhole projector or the shadows through a colander or leaves, are safe ways to watch the partial phases.
- During totality only, when the Sun is completely covered, it is safe to remove glasses and look. Put them back on as soon as the first bright light reappears.
- Supervise children closely.
Other eclipses to know about
- 12 August 2026: a total solar eclipse crossed Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain.
- 2 August 2027: this eclipse.
- 22 July 2028: a total solar eclipse crosses Australia and New Zealand.
For more about the science of the sky, read why the sky is blue, and for current missions, see our space exploration roundup.
Key takeaways
- The total eclipse of 2 August 2027 crosses southern Spain, North Africa and Arabia.
- Totality reaches about 6 minutes 23 seconds near Luxor, Egypt.
- A partial eclipse is visible across a much wider region.
- Use ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses at all times except during totality.