A breathtaking cosmic event is on the way as the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century is set to darken skies on August 2, 2027. During the rare phenomenon, daytime will briefly resemble night, temperatures will drop, and stars and planets will become visible in the sky.
According to NASA, the total solar eclipse will be visible across large parts of southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, including Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia.
The most dramatic view will be from Luxor, Egypt, where totality will last an astonishing 6 minutes and 23 seconds, making it one of the longest solar eclipses ever recorded in the modern era. The event is widely referred to as the “Great North African Eclipse.”
India will not fall within the path of totality, and the eclipse will therefore not be visible as a complete solar eclipse from the country.
Astronomers attribute the exceptional duration to a rare celestial alignment. During the 2027 eclipse, the Earth will be at aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun, while the Moon will be at perigee, its closest point to Earth. This unique positioning will allow the Moon to block the Sun for an unusually long time.
According to Space.com, the 2027 event will be the longest total solar eclipse visible from land until 2114, making it a once-in-a-century spectacle for skywatchers across the eclipse path.
