Total solar eclipse of 2027 to feature extended duration

A major total solar eclipse is scheduled for August 2, 2027, which is expected to be one of the longest duration eclipses of the 21st century. The path of totality will cross through southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia.

In Luxor, Egypt, the duration of totality is estimated to reach approximately 6 minutes and 22 seconds, making it one of the premier locations for observation. This event is predicted to be the second longest solar eclipse of the century, following the 2009 event. The extraordinary duration is attributed to the Earth being near aphelion while the Moon is near perigee, combined with a trajectory near the equator.

Observers may also witness the “Baily's beads” phenomenon, where sunlight filters through the lunar topography just before and after totality, creating brief flashes of light. The eclipse will also allow for the visibility of the solar corona.