Topline
On Aug. 2, 2027, the moon’s shadow will race across parts of southern Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, delivering what many eclipse chasers are calling the “eclipse of the century.” Today, there are just 400 days to go. That may sound like plenty of time, but as everyone hoping to experience one of the greatest astronomical events of the 21st century will know, flights, hotels, cruises and specialist tours are already filling up — particularly in prime viewing locations along the path of totality, such as Luxor in Egypt, where 6 minutes 20 seconds of totality will occur. That’s the longest for 88 years. If seeing a total solar eclipse is on your bucket list, this is the one, but you need to act fast.
Key Facts
The Aug. 2, 2027, total solar eclipse stands out because of its extraordinary duration. At maximum eclipse close to Luxor, observers will experience up to 6 minutes 22 seconds of totality — the longest total solar eclipse visible from land until 2114. Most total eclipses last only two or three minutes.
During totality, daylight fades into twilight, temperatures drop, bright planets appear, and the sun’s delicate outer atmosphere — the corona — becomes visible to the naked eye.
The path of totality begins over the Atlantic Ocean before crossing southern Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia.
The 2027 total solar eclipse is part of a family of moon shadows called Saros 136, which produces very long-duration totalities. Its members include the famous 1991 Mexico eclipse, the record-breaking 2009 eclipse in China and, in the future, the next coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in the U.S. in 2045.
‘ground Zero’ For The ‘eclipse Of The Century’
While there are excellent viewing opportunities in southern Spain and throughout North Africa, one destination stands above all others: Luxor, Egypt — Thebes in ancient Egypt. Situated close to the point of greatest eclipse, Luxor will enjoy more than six minutes of totality amid some of the clearest skies along the entire eclipse track. The prospect of seeing the sun’s corona above the temples and monuments of ancient Egypt — among them Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings — has already made the city one of the most sought-after eclipse destinations in the world. However, the reality may be different. “I imagine there are lots of folks out there who are thinking, ‘Oh, I’ll actually be at the Temple of Luxor for the eclipse,’ but unless you’ve made very, very special arrangements, I guarantee that, no, you will not be there,” said Ithaca, New York-based Dr. Tyler Nordgren at Space Art Travel Bureau, author of Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets, in an interview. “Luxor could be chaotic; there will be a lot of folks, but if it’s in keeping with the eclipse experience we see worldwide, it will be a huge crowd of people having a truly transcendental, awe‑inspiring moment.”
Why You Need A Plan Now
Experienced eclipse chasers often begin planning years in advance. The reason is simple: everyone wants to be in the same narrow corridor. In 2027, with Luxor the favored destination for many, the corridor is even narrower. Accommodation along the path can sell out months or even years in advance of eclipse day. Prices are rising as demand increases, and flights will become scarce and more expensive.
Southern Spain is also expected to be a major hotspot, offering easier access for European travelers and a combination of historic cities, beaches and eclipse viewing in destinations such as Cádiz, Málaga, Tarifa and Gibraltar. “Make sure you’ve got all your reservations in order,” said Nordgren.
Part Of A Remarkable Eclipse Era
The 2027 total solar eclipse will be visible from a 160-mile (275-km) wide path of totality 9,462 miles (15,227 km) long. According to TimeAndDate.com, 88.9 million people live in that path of totality. The 2027 eclipse also sits at the center of an extraordinary run of celestial events. A total solar eclipse crosses Greenland, Iceland and Spain on Aug. 2, 2026, while another sweeps across Australia and New Zealand on July 22, 2028, bringing totality to Sydney for the first time since 1857. However, if you’re only going to chase one eclipse in the coming decade, Aug. 2, 2027, is arguably the one to choose. Why? Because you’ll almost certainly see the corona. “Some parts of the eclipse track — over Libya and western Egypt — have seen no August cloud on eclipse day whatsoever in the past 23 years,” said Jay Anderson, a Canadian meteorologist and eclipse chaser, in a climate analysis. For once, there will be no eclipse chasing required.