
Solar Eclipse August 2 will bring 6 minutes of total darkness; Check, date, time, and visibility areas for a once-in-100-years phenomenon
On August 2, 2027, a remarkable total solar eclipse will darken the skies over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. For up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds, the Moon will completely obscure the Sun, casting a dramatic shadow over Earth in what is being called the 'Great North African Eclipse.' This event will be the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114. With such an extended period of totality and broad visibility, this eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for millions of people across continents.
Clear skies are expected in many parts of North Africa, especially in Libya and Egypt, which are known for dry, sunny weather in August. These favourable conditions enhance the likelihood of an unobstructed view, making the region ideal for eclipse observation and tourism.
Solar Eclipse in August 2027: Date and time
The total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, August 2, 2027, during the early to mid-afternoon hours, depending on your location.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pensioners With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This
British Seniors
Undo
In Southern Spain, totality is expected to begin around 13:30 to 14:00 local time (CEST).
In North Africa, such as Libya and Egypt, the eclipse will peak around 14:00 to 14:30 local time (EET).
In Saudi Arabia, the eclipse will reach totality slightly later in the day, around 15:00 local time (AST).
Exact timings may vary by a few minutes depending on the observer's precise location along the path of totality. The full eclipse duration, from first contact (partial eclipse begins) to final contact (partial eclipse ends), will last approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with totality lasting up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds in select areas like Luxor, Egypt.
What makes the 2027 solar eclipse so special
Three rare astronomical conditions will occur simultaneously to produce such a long eclipse:
Earth at Aphelion: On August 2, Earth will be at its farthest point from the Sun. This makes the Sun appear slightly smaller in the sky.
Moon at Perigee: At the same time, the Moon will be at its closest distance to Earth, making it look larger than usual.
Equatorial Shadow Path: The eclipse will travel close to the equator, where the Earth's rotational speed causes the Moon's shadow to move more slowly across the surface. This slower movement prolongs the duration of totality.
These combined factors will result in a total solar eclipse lasting over six minutes, significantly longer than most eclipses, which typically range from two to three minutes.
Solar Eclipse 2027 visibility
The eclipse will begin over the Atlantic Ocean and move eastward across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The path of totality, which is the narrow band where the eclipse will be fully visible, will be approximately 258 to 275 kilometers wide.
Europe
Southern Spain, including cities such as Cádiz and Málaga, will experience total darkness for over four minutes.
The eclipse will make landfall at the Strait of Gibraltar.
North Africa
Northern Morocco, particularly Tangier and Tetouan, will be directly beneath the central shadow.
Parts of Algeria and Tunisia will also be in the path.
In Benghazi, Libya, totality will last nearly five minutes.
Central Egypt, especially near Luxor, will experience more than six minutes of total darkness.
Northeastern Sudan will also fall under the path of totality.
Middle East and Horn of Africa
The eclipse will pass over southwestern Saudi Arabia, including cities such as Jeddah and Mecca.
Portions of Yemen and northeastern Somalia will also witness totality.
Indian Ocean
The eclipse will exit over the Indian Ocean and continue past the Chagos Archipelago before fading.
Regions what will miss the eclipse
The 2027 eclipse will not be visible in many parts of the world, including:
India and much of South Asia
North and South America
Most of East Asia and Australia
Observers in these regions may not witness any part of the eclipse or will only experience a minor partial eclipse.
August Solar Eclipse: Historical and scientific significance
The upcoming 2027 eclipse is not the longest in history, but it is the most significant of this century. The longest recorded total solar eclipse occurred on June 15, 743 BC, lasting 7 minutes and 28 seconds. However, the 2027 event will be the longest visible from land between 1991 and 2114. The next similarly long eclipse will not take place until August 23, 2114.
This event is significant not only because of its rare duration but also because of its wide visibility across multiple countries. Scientists, astronomers, and casual observers alike will benefit from the opportunity to study the Sun's corona and other solar phenomena during the extended period of totality.
For those living near the eclipse path, it is a truly once-in-a-century opportunity. The combination of scientific importance and natural beauty makes this a date worth marking in calendars worldwide.
Also Read |
How much did ISRO spend to send Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS on historic 18-day Axiom-4 mission

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
USGS reports 6.6 magnitude quake Southwest of Samoa's capital, no tsunami warning issued
A magnitude-6.6 earthquake struck near the island nation of Samoa on Friday, July 25, the US Geological Survey ( USGS ) reported. The quake occurred 440 kilometers (273 miles) southwest of Samoa's capital, Apia, at a depth of 314 kilometers (195 miles). There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage. A staff member at the Samoa Observer news website told AP they had not felt the earthquake and had not received any reports of damage. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Degree Cybersecurity Public Policy Digital Marketing PGDM healthcare Data Science Healthcare Others Data Science Data Analytics Leadership Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking others Management MBA Finance Operations Management CXO MCA Product Management Project Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details The US Tsunami Warning System confirmed no tsunami warning was issued following the quake. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Samoa lies on the " Ring of Fire ," a seismically active region that circles the Pacific Ocean. Earthquakes and volcanic activity are common in this zone. In 2009, two powerful earthquakes between Samoa and American Samoa triggered tsunamis that killed at least 192 people across Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga. Live Events About USGS The US Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government responsible for studying the natural landscape, natural resources, and natural hazards of the country. It operates under the US Department of the Interior and plays a key role in monitoring earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and other geologic events around the world. The agency uses a network of sensors, satellites, and research stations to collect data and provide real-time information to the public and decision-makers. When it comes to earthquakes, the USGS maintains the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), which tracks seismic activity globally. It issues immediate reports on earthquake location, depth, and magnitude to inform emergency response and public safety. The agency also collaborates with international and regional partners to improve global earthquake monitoring and hazard assessment.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
AI is being used to design custom proteins that help immune cells find and kill cancer
Scientists have used artificial intelligence to design custom proteins that act like a 'GPS' for the immune system, guiding T cells directly to cancer cells and helping them destroy tumors with remarkable precision. The new research, published Thursday(July 24) in the journal Science, demonstrates how generative AI can create tiny proteins that dramatically enhance the cancer-killing power of human immune cells. In lab tests, T cells outfitted with these proteins swiftly located and killed melanoma cells, a fast-spreading and often deadly form of skin cancer. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA Data Analytics PGDM healthcare Cybersecurity Data Science others CXO Data Science Degree Others Operations Management Healthcare Product Management Artificial Intelligence Finance Public Policy MBA Design Thinking Technology Management Project Management Digital Marketing Leadership Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details 'It's like giving immune cells Google Maps for cancer,' said lead researcher Dr. Timothy Jenkins, a medical biotechnologist at the Technical University of Denmark. 'We're helping T cells find the tumor much more efficiently than they could on their own.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The work is an early-stage form of immunotherapy, a treatment approach that boosts the body's natural defenses to fight disease. The idea builds on successful techniques like CAR T-cell therapy but adds a major twist: Instead of relying on naturally occurring cell receptors, which can take months to isolate and test, the scientists used AI to design new proteins from scratch in just days. The use of AI tools Live Events To create the molecular guides, the researchers used three AI tools. First, a generative model called RFdiffusion was used to analyze the structure of a specific cancer target known as NY-ESO-1, a protein found on many tumor cells. Then, another model proposed amino acid sequences that would fold into the right shape to bind the target. A third model helped narrow tens of thousands of options down to just 44, which were tested in the lab. One design stood out, and it worked. The study builds on a wave of recent breakthroughs in computational biology, including technologies that led to the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for protein structure prediction. Earlier this year, Jenkins' team also developed AI-designed proteins for improved snakebite antivenoms. Clinical trials are still years away, and many questions remain about how the proteins will perform in the human body. But the researchers are optimistic.


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
AU scientists use waste derivatives to make biomaterial that can cure bone ailments
1 2 3 Prayagraj: In a hope for those grappling with bone-related ailments, a group of scientists have developed a technique to regenerate bones through use of natural and waste-derived materials. Led by AU alumnus Amit Dubey and AU research scholar Aisha Tufail, the team has introduced a composite made from egg white, fish-derived gelatin, and rice husk nanosilica. This composite, called Bioactive Biphasic Calcium Phosphate-Egg White-Nanosilica-Gelatin (BESG), closely mimics natural bone and supports cell growth. "The laboratory tests have confirmed the biocompatibility, low toxicity, and effectiveness of BESG in promoting bone formation. This eco-friendly innovation offers a cost-effective alternative for treating bone injuries and conditions like osteoporosis," said Dubey, who is an alumnus of Allahabad University. "Once implanted, it acts like a supportive framework that allows the body's natural bone cells to grow over and inside it—just like how plants grow better when they have a trellis to climb on. Its sponge-like porous structure helps nutrients and cells move easily, speeding up healing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nvidia's AI Strategy Is Clear - But Is Wall Street Paying Attention? Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Over time, the material blends into the body safely, helping form new, strong bone without any toxic effects," Dubey said, adding that the innovation could be especially useful for patients recovering from fractures, dental implants, or bone diseases like osteoporosis. Their work was published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials by the American Chemical Society recently. "By using locally available waste products, the technology presents a promising, accessible solution for communities with limited medical resources. BESG can serve as a bone scaffold or patch that integrates with the body, helping damaged bones heal more efficiently," said Dubey. What makes this research significant is its reliance on readily available and often discarded natural resources. "Our goal was to provide a sustainable and effective solution to the challenges of bone tissue regeneration. This research is not just a scientific leap; it's a real promise for our society," said Dubey, whose team also included researchers Edwina Sherley Felicita A, Veni Subramanyam S, and Marie Arockianathan P.