Total Solar Eclipse 2027 — The Longest of the Century

Updated: October 11, 2026

Six minutes and twenty-three seconds. The longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114, crossing Spain, North Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia.

When is the total solar eclipse of 2027?

Path of totality — key cities

Cities outside the narrow band (~258 km wide at peak) see only a partial eclipse — impressive but the corona stays hidden and the sky never goes fully dark. The difference between a 99% partial eclipse and totality is the difference between bright twilight and stars-at-noon. You must be inside the path.

Total solar eclipse 2027 in Spain

On August 2, 2027 the path of totality touches Europe only at the southern tip of Spain. It enters near Cádiz and Tarifa: the partial phase starts around 08:35 UTC (10:35 CEST) and totality begins at about 11:34 CEST, lasting 2 min 08 s in Cádiz. Málaga gets 2 min 30 s of totality from 11:37 CEST. Everywhere else in Spain the eclipse is a deep partial one — and still needs ISO 12312-2 glasses the whole time.

It is Spain's second total solar eclipse in under a year, after the total eclipse of August 12, 2026 over the north of the country — and the annular eclipse of January 26, 2028 follows. Both solar eclipses of the year, including the February 6 ring of fire, are on the solar eclipse 2027 calendar.

Why this eclipse is the longest of the century

Three independent factors line up for the August 2, 2027 eclipse — and they rarely do at the same time:

1. The Moon is near perigee

The Moon's orbit is slightly elliptical. At perigee it sits ~363,000 km from Earth; at apogee ~405,000 km. In August 2027 it is near perigee, making its apparent disk in the sky larger — and so capable of covering the Sun more completely and for longer.

2. Earth is near aphelion

In early July, Earth reaches aphelion — its farthest point from the Sun in the year (~152 million km vs 147 million at perihelion in January). The Sun's apparent disk is therefore smaller than average in August, easier for the Moon to cover.

3. The shadow path runs near the equator

At the equator, Earth's rotation speed (~1670 km/h) is maximal — moving in roughly the same direction as the Moon's shadow. The shadow's relative speed over the ground is therefore lower, so a given point stays inside the umbra longer. Combined with factors 1 and 2, totality stretches to a remarkable 6 min 23 s near Luxor.

Where to watch

Luxor, Egypt — the headline destination

The longest totality, the Sun at 82° altitude (nearly overhead), and Upper Egypt's reliable August weather (95%+ clear-sky probability). Add ancient Karnak and the Valley of the Kings as a backdrop. Hotels are already filling — book 18+ months ahead for the best rates.

Southern Spain — the European option

Cádiz, Málaga, and the Strait of Gibraltar coastline. Totality 2 min 08 s to 2 min 30 s — short compared to Luxor but Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999, just one year after the August 12, 2026 total eclipse over northern Spain. Spain effectively gets two total solar eclipses in less than 12 months.

Morocco and Algeria — the dark horse

Less infrastructure than Spain or Egypt, but the path crosses Casablanca (3 min 06 s totality) and Algiers (3 min 55 s). Lower demand means more flexibility on travel. Weather is reliable in early August.

How to watch safely

Looking at the Sun without protection — even when 99% covered — can permanently damage the retina. The rules are simple and absolute:

Use ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during all partial phases (before and after totality). Naked-eye viewing is safe only during full totality, and only if you are inside the path of totality. The instant the first sliver of Sun returns, glasses go back on. Never use sunglasses, smoked glass, photographic negatives or improvised filters. For cameras and telescopes: use a certified solar filter on the objective lens, never on the eyepiece.

Frequently asked questions

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