The Great Solar Eclipse
August 2, 2027
Witness the Longest Total Solar Eclipse Over Land This Century
What is a Total Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. For a few brief, spectacular minutes, the sky darkens as if it were dawn or dusk, allowing the Sun's ethereal outer atmosphere—the corona—to become visible.
This rare alignment is a cosmic coincidence: the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon, but it is also about 400 times farther away, making them appear the same size in our sky.
Path of Totality
The 2027 eclipse will carve a path across southern Spain, the Strait of Gibraltar, North Africa, and the Middle East. The chart below shows the approximate duration of totality for several key locations along this path.
Spotlight: Luxor, Egypt
The premier viewing location for this event is Luxor, Egypt. Not only does it boast fantastic weather prospects, but it will also experience the longest duration of totality over land: a staggering 6 minutes and 23 seconds.
Imagine standing amidst ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings as the sun vanishes in the middle of the day, revealing the solar corona in the Egyptian sky. It's a once-in-a-lifetime conjunction of history and celestial mechanics.
Maximum Totality Duration
6m 23s
Near Luxor, Egypt
Eclipse by the Numbers
6m 23s
Max Duration
Longest over land in 21st century
258 km
Max Path Width
The width of the Moon's shadow
1.079
Magnitude
How much larger the Moon appears than the Sun
Phases of the Eclipse
A total solar eclipse unfolds in several distinct, breathtaking stages. Here’s what to look for:
First Contact
The Moon begins to touch the edge of the Sun. The partial eclipse begins.
Baily's Beads & Diamond Ring
Just before totality, sunlight streams through lunar valleys, creating points of light. The last bead of light creates the stunning "Diamond Ring" effect.
Totality
The Sun is completely hidden. The sky goes dark, the corona is visible, and the temperature drops. This is the main event.
Third Contact
The Diamond Ring and Baily's Beads appear on the opposite side as the Moon begins to move away.
Fourth Contact
The Moon completely leaves the Sun's disk. The eclipse is over.
How to Watch Safely
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun without certified eye protection, except during the brief phase of totality.
✅ What to Use
- Certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 standard)
- Solar viewers or binoculars/telescopes with certified solar filters
- Pinhole projectors for indirect viewing
❌ What NOT to Use
- Regular sunglasses (no matter how dark)
- Smoked glass, undeveloped film, or CDs
- Unfiltered cameras, binoculars, or telescopes