Total Solar Eclipse 2027
Overview
August 2, 2027. Totality path: Spain (Cadiz), Gibraltar, North Africa, Egypt (Luxor). Max 6m23s — the century's longest. Partial over Europe, Africa and the Middle East. ISO 12312-2 filters only.
Total Solar Eclipse 2027 Viewing Guide — Path, Timing & Safety
On August 2, 2027 the Moon's umbra crosses Spain, the Strait of Gibraltar, North Africa and Egypt. With up to 6m23s of totality near Luxor — the longest of the century (Saros 136) — this is the flagship sky event of the decade. The path and times below are fixed; your planning only needs location, weather and eye safety.
Path & timeline
Totality reaches southern Spain around 10:45 CEST (UTC+2): Cadiz gets about 2m55s, Tarifa around 4m40s near 10:47, Gibraltar 4m27s from 10:45 to 10:50, and the African coast at Ceuta and Melilla over 4 minutes. The shadow then crosses Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt — Luxor sees about 6m22s near 13:06 EET (UTC+3) — and ends over Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia. Greatest eclipse is 10:07 UT at 25.5N 33.2E in the Egyptian Eastern Desert; a partial eclipse covers Europe, most of Africa and the Middle East.
Eye safety — ISO 12312-2
The partial phases last over two hours and are never safe to view directly: wear ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses for every second before and after totality, inspect the lenses for scratches, and supervise children. Never use eclipse glasses with binoculars, cameras or telescopes — those need certified front-mounted solar filters. Only during full totality, once the bright photosphere is completely covered, may you remove filters and watch the corona; put protection back the instant Baily's beads or any sunlight reappears.
Photography settings
Wide-field: 14-35 mm lens at f/8, ISO 200-400 on a tripod, bracket from 1/1000 s for the diamond ring to about 1 s for the corona's outer streamers, with an intervalometer through the whole 3-6 minutes. Close-ups: 400-600 mm on a stable head, sharpened and exposure-practised on the Moon beforehand. Remove any solar filter only during totality and never point an unfiltered lens at the partial Sun.
Where to position
Egypt offers the longest totality and an 82-degree Sun: Luxor combines roughly 6m22s with dry August skies, and the Eastern Desert around the greatest point is the prime zone. In Europe, Tarifa, Ceuta and the Cadiz province coast give 3-4.5 minutes with much easier travel, though the Sun is only around 40 degrees high and morning cloud over the Atlantic is the main risk — scout a southeast-facing backup site tens of kilometres inland. Book accommodation early, expect major crowds, and carry water and shade as ground temperatures pass 40 C.
What to bring
- ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses (plus a spare pair)
- Certified front solar filter for any telescope or telephoto lens
- Tripod, intervalometer, wide and telephoto lenses
- Printed contact-time sheet (C1-C4 in local time for your site)
- Water, hat and shade — August along the path exceeds 40 C
Recommended gear for this event
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FITS Viewer
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Understanding This Event
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth's surface. Total solar eclipses reveal the Sun's corona and are among nature's most dramatic spectacles. Always use ISO-certified solar filters for viewing — permanent eye damage can occur in seconds without proper protection.
Learn more at NASA EclipseBest Observation Conditions
For optimal viewing, find a dark-sky location away from city lights. Use FastTool's Twilight Calculator to determine when astronomical darkness begins at your location — this is your observation window. Check the Moon phase with MoonSync to ensure minimal lunar interference.
Light Pollution MapScientific Significance
Astronomical events are predicted using precise ephemeris data (JPL DE440, IMO meteor calendars, NASA Horizons). These calculations rely on centuries of celestial mechanics observations and modern computational models verified against satellite data.
JPL DE440 EphemerisHistorical Context
Astronomical events have been recorded by civilizations worldwide for millennia. Chinese astronomers documented meteor showers as early as 36 AD. Babylonian eclipse records date to 747 BC. These ancient observations laid the foundation for modern predictive astronomy.
IAU History of AstronomyFrequently Asked Questions
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How to Observe This Astronomical Event
- 1
Check Your Local Darkness Window
Use FastTool's Twilight Calculator to find the exact astronomical twilight start and end times for your location on the event date. This defines your observation window — the period when the sky is fully dark.
- 2
Verify Sky Conditions
Check MoonSync for lunar phase and interference. For aurora-prone events, use the KP Index tool to assess geomagnetic activity. Clear, moonless skies with low light pollution (Bortle 4 or better) provide the best viewing.
- 3
Set Up Your Observation Station
Arrive 30 minutes before astronomical darkness begins. Set up a reclining chair or blanket facing the optimal direction (check the event description for radiant or rise direction). Allow 20-30 minutes for full dark adaptation — avoid phone screens.
- 4
Document Your Observations
Record meteor counts in 15-minute intervals, note fireball brightness and colors. For eclipses, note contact times. Submit observations to citizen science databases like IMO (meteors) or share on astronomy communities.
Data Source
Solstice and equinox dates calculated from JPL DE440 ephemeris (the same planetary/lunar ephemeris used by NASA). Meteor shower peak dates and ZHR values follow the International Meteor Organization (IMO) annual calendar. Planetary event data from NASA Horizons system.
Plan Your Observation
Use these free tools to prepare for the event:
Related Events
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