Jakarta, ThedailyID — Saudi Arabia will witness the longest total solar eclipse over land in the 21st century on August 2, 2027. The rare event will plunge parts of the country into darkness for more than five minutes.
Astronomers expect the eclipse’s path of totality to cross much of the Arabian Peninsula. Mecca will be one of the best places to observe the phenomenon.
In the holy city, the Moon will completely cover the Sun for about five minutes during the afternoon. The event will briefly turn daylight into darkness.
According to Arabia Weather, observers in Mecca may also see bright stars and planets that normally appear only at night.
The eclipse will continue across southern Spain, Morocco, and Egypt. Cities including Cadiz, Malaga, Tangier, Mecca, and Jeddah all lie along the path of totality.
Near Luxor, Egypt, the eclipse will reach its longest duration. Totality will last 6 minutes and 23 seconds, making it the longest land-based total solar eclipse of this century.
The event will last much longer than the 2026 total solar eclipse, which reached 2 minutes and 18 seconds. It will also surpass the April 2024 North American eclipse, which lasted 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
Scientists say a total solar eclipse can theoretically last up to seven and a half minutes. That requires nearly perfect alignment. The Sun must be near apogee, the Moon at perigee, and the eclipse path must cross Earth’s equator.
NASA eclipse program scientist Kelly Korreck said Earth remains the only known planet where people can witness this phenomenon.
“Having a Moon with the perfect size and distance to create this effect is truly remarkable,” she said.
The eclipse offers more than dramatic darkness. Temperatures may drop by as much as 10 degrees Celsius during totality. Observers will also see the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, with the naked eye.
Astronomers urge everyone to wear ISO 12312-2-certified eclipse glasses whenever any part of the Sun remains visible. Looking directly at the Sun without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage.
