The World Will Go Dark for Over Six Minutes in 2027 — and It Won’t Happen Again for Nearly 100 Years!
Mark your calendars: on August 2, 2027, the Earth will witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events of the century — a total solar eclipse that won’t be rivalled until 2114!
This rare celestial event, dubbed the "Great North African Eclipse," will plunge parts of the world into total darkness in the middle of the day, with the period of totality — when the Moon completely obscures the Sun — lasting an extraordinary six minutes and 23 seconds. It will be the longest total solar eclipse since 1991 and one of the longest ever recorded.
To put it into perspective, the theoretical maximum duration of a total solar eclipse is seven minutes and 31 seconds — so this one is nearly as long as they come.
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Where to See It
The absolute best place to witness this cosmic spectacle? Luxor, Egypt — the historic city will offer the longest view of the eclipse's totality. Other prime locations include parts of North Africa, such as Algeria and Tunisia, and some areas in Southern Europe, including Gibraltar.
Tens of millions of people living along the eclipse’s path will have a chance to experience the event — provided the skies are clear. Those outside the direct path will still see a partial solar eclipse, impressive in its own right, though not quite as dramatic as totality.
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Why It Matters
Total solar eclipses aren’t just beautiful — they’re also incredibly rare, especially ones of this magnitude and duration that occur over land. Most eclipses spend their longest durations over open ocean, far from the reach of most observers.
Luxor, Egypt
This 2027 eclipse will be a rare exception, making it one of the most accessible and memorable opportunities to witness a long total eclipse in a lifetime — especially since nothing close will happen again until 2114.
Other Upcoming Eclipses
While there are total solar eclipses scheduled for 2026 and 2028, neither will last nearly as long as this one. So if you’ve ever wanted to experience a midday plunge into darkness, framed by the glowing solar corona — this is your chance.
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