Earth Plunged Into Darkness For Six

Mark Your Calendar: August 2, 2027

A rare and spectacular total solar eclipse is set to occur on August 2, 2027. Known as the “Great North African Eclipse,” this event will plunge parts of the Earth into daytime darkness. Total solar eclipses happen when the moon completely covers the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. The deepest part of this shadow, called totality, will last six minutes and twenty-three seconds, making it “the longest complete solar eclipse since 1991.”

Best Place to Watch: Luxor, Egypt

For the most breathtaking experience, head to Luxor, Egypt, which offers the longest and clearest view. As the article notes, “Luxor is going to be the best place to see it in the globe.” Other good viewing spots include parts of North Africa and Southern Europe, such as Gibraltar.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Event

This eclipse won’t happen again until 2114. In other words, “you won’t survive to witness another eclipse like this one.” While partial eclipses will be visible in many other regions, they won’t compare to the full experience of totality.

A Celestial Marvel

This eclipse is especially significant because it occurs mostly over land—“the largest to occur on land in almost a century.” Typically, the best views happen at sea, but this time millions of people on land will get front-row seats. Although other total eclipses are coming in 2026 and 2028, they’ll be much shorter. According to expert Jean Meeus, “the longest complete eclipse that may occur is seven minutes and thirty-one seconds,” making this one nearly record-breaking.