Topline
Ancient Egypt’s former capital is about to become ground zero for the world’s eclipse chasers. On Aug. 2, 2027, the moon’s shadow will cross Luxor shortly after 1 p.m. local time, bringing 6 minutes 19 seconds of totality to the ancient city during a very special total solar eclipse. The combination of exceptional duration, near-guaranteed clear skies and one of the world’s richest archaeological landscapes has made Luxor the symbolic heart of what is already being called the “eclipse of the century.” Many thousands of international visitors are expected to descend on the city for what could become one of the largest eclipse gatherings in history. Here’s everything you need to know.
Key Facts
The 2027 total solar eclipse reaches maximum totality just southeast of Luxor. Observers there will experience 6 minutes 22 seconds of darkness, while Luxor itself receives 6 minutes 19 seconds beginning at 1:02 p.m. EEST.
Egypt offers the most reliable weather anywhere along the eclipse path. August cloud cover is exceptionally rare thanks to the subtropical high-pressure system that dominates North Africa, although dust and haze are possible.
The sun will be almost directly overhead during totality. At about 82° above the horizon, many observers will need to lie on a blanket or sunbed to comfortably view the solar corona, which will dominate a dark sky.
Temperatures in Luxor often exceed 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) in early August. During totality, the temperature could briefly fall by 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) before rising rapidly again once the sun reappears.
Many thousands of eclipse chasers are expected in Luxor. Most visitors are likely to watch from hotels, Nile cruise ships or riverside viewing areas rather than iconic sites such as Karnak Temple or Luxor Temple, where access is likely to be restricted.
Luxor is often described as the world’s largest open-air museum. Built on the site of ancient Thebes, it is home to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and, across the Nile, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Medinet Habu.
The path of totality crosses southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia. Almost 89 million people live inside the path.
Why Luxor Is The World’s Most Extraordinary Eclipse Destination
Luxor occupies the site of ancient Thebes, the capital of the pharaohs during the height of ancient Egypt’s power in the second millennium BCE. Today, the city stretches along the east bank of the Nile, where Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple remain among the greatest surviving monuments of the ancient world. Across the river lies the Theban Necropolis, home to the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s spectacular mortuary temple and the towering figures of the Colossi of Memnon. Together, they make Luxor one of the world’s richest archaeological landscapes and have earned it a reputation as the world’s largest open-air museum. On Aug. 2, 2027, the moon’s shadow will pass directly over monuments built more than 3,000 years ago by one of history’s great sun-worshipping civilizations, creating what could become one of the most memorable eclipse experiences of the century.
Alternatives To Luxor
Luxor will deservedly attract most of the attention, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. Travelers hoping to avoid the largest crowds could consider Dendera Temple, north of Luxor, where totality lasts 6 minutes 15 seconds, or Bahariya Oasis, west of Cairo, which enjoys 6 minutes 19 seconds of totality beneath some of the clearest skies anywhere along the eclipse path. Other excellent options include Siwa Oasis, Abydos, Edfu and the Red Sea coast near Berenice. Although none offers Luxor’s combination of history and spectacle, they may provide a more relaxed viewing experience while still delivering an extraordinary total solar eclipse.
Why The Eclipse Lasts So Long
The Aug. 2, 2027 eclipse belongs to Saros 136, a family of eclipses famous for producing exceptionally long totalities. Earlier members crossed Mexico in 1991 and China in 2009, while a future member will produce the much-anticipated U.S. total solar eclipse in 2045. Its exceptional duration results from near-perfect celestial geometry. The moon will be close to perigee, making it appear slightly larger than average, while Earth will be near aphelion, making the sun appear slightly smaller. Because the eclipse also occurs close to Earth’s equator, observers remain inside the moon’s shadow for more than six minutes.