Next year, Egypt and several other Arab nations are anticipating a rare astronomical event – a total solar eclipse.
During this event, the solar disk will be completely obscured for several minutes in certain areas—an extraordinary spectacle that captures the attention of astronomy enthusiasts and researchers worldwide.
Astronomical calculations indicate that this upcoming astronomical event will be one of the longest total solar eclipses of the current century, with a path that spans regions including Egypt and various Arab countries.
When is the Total Solar Eclipse?
The rare total solar eclipse will fall on Saturday, August 2, 2027. It will be visible to people across the globe, and clearly observable from Egypt.
An eclipse is prolonged when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth and the path of the Moon’s shadow lies near the equator.
Path of the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse
The path of the total eclipse will begin over the Atlantic Ocean, crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and southern Spain before entering North Africa.
It will traverse Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia, continuing on to the Indian Ocean.
Spanning approximately 170 miles (about 270 km) in width, the eclipse’s path will cover densely populated areas, offering millions of people the opportunity to witness the event firsthand.
In Saudi Arabia, the total eclipse will pass over the cities of Jeddah and Makkah, while a partial eclipse will be visible across parts of southern Italy and the island of Lampedusa.
Duration
At its peak, the total solar eclipse lasts more than six full minutes—an exceptional duration ranking among the longest in modern records of solar phenomena.
This offers a rare opportunity for scientific observation and photography.
Arab and international astronomical observatories are expected to release detailed maps of the eclipse paths, the best viewing locations, and guidelines for safe observation using specialized glasses.
Prime Locations
The total solar eclipse is set to reach its peak in the city of Luxor, where darkness will envelop the sky for more than six consecutive minutes—making it one of the best locations in the world to witness the event.
By comparison, most total eclipses typically last no more than three minutes.
Cities such as Cádiz and Málaga in Spain will experience total darkness lasting between four and five minutes, while Benghazi, Libya, will be plunged into deep darkness for nearly five minutes.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
