Earth Plunged Into Darkness For Six

A Rare Celestial Event

Mark your calendars for August 2, 2027—a total solar eclipse will darken parts of the Earth in broad daylight. During this rare event, the moon completely blocks the sun, casting a shadow and plunging select areas into darkness, known as “totality.”

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Eclipse

This eclipse will be the longest total solar eclipse since 1991, with totality lasting six minutes and twenty-three seconds. As noted in the article, “It won’t happen again until 2114, nearly a century later.” Jean Meeus, a meteorologist, adds perspective: “The longest complete eclipse that may occur is seven minutes and thirty-one seconds,” making this event notably close to the theoretical maximum.

The Best Place to Watch

Dubbed the “Great North African Eclipse,” the best viewing spot will be Luxor, Egypt, where totality lasts the longest. “Luxor is going to be the best place to see it in the globe,” the article states. However, the eclipse will also be visible—at shorter durations—from North Africa, Southern Europe, and even parts of Gibraltar.

A Global Moment

Though tens of millions live along the path of totality, others can still see a partial eclipse, which, while impressive, won’t match the full experience. Interestingly, the best places for eclipses are usually over oceans, but this one is unique: “This eclipse has the distinction of being the largest to occur on land in almost a century.”