Lua will pass between Terra and Sol on August 2, 2027, creating the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. NASA has confirmed that the maximum duration will be 6 minutes and 23 seconds, a record that will not be equaled until 2114. The last eclipse of comparable duration occurred in 1991, making this event a rare opportunity for observers around the world.

Celestial Geometria favors exceptional duration

Lua will be near perigee, its closest point to Terra, appearing large enough to cover the solar disk for an extraordinary period. The maximum point of the eclipse will occur in a region where Sol will be almost at the zenith, adding precious seconds to the projection of the shadow on the Earth’s surface. The centerline of the shadow crosses north of África in a west-to-east trajectory, starting south of Espanha and passing through Marrocos, Argélia, Tunísia, Líbia, and Egito, before crossing into Arábia Saudita and Iêmen.

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The duration increases progressively as the shadow moves east. Tarifa, to the south of Espanha, will record 4 minutes and 39 seconds of totality. Tânger, in Marrocos, will be 4 minutes and 50 seconds. Benghazi, on Líbia, will reach 6 minutes and 7 seconds. Luxor, on Egito, will reach 6 minutes and 19 seconds, while Mar Vermelho’s coast will be 6 minutes and 20 seconds.

• Tarifa (south of Espanha): 4 minutes and 39 seconds
• Tânger (Marrocos): 4 minutes and 50 seconds
• Benghazi (Líbia): 6 minutes and 7 seconds
• Luxor (Egito): 6 minutes and 19 seconds
• Costa from Mar Vermelho: 6 minutes and 20 seconds

Condições practically ideal weather conditions

Agosto to the north of África offers virtually cloudless skies throughout the longer zone of totality. Jay Anderson, a meteorologist specializing in climate analysis for eclipses, stated that the east of Líbia and the west of Egito have practically zero cloud cover. Em Luxor, the average cloud cover in August is only 0.7%, extremely low for astronomical observations. The biggest challenge will be desert dust, not clouds, which could affect visibility in some regions.

The dry desert air will create an intense sensory experience. Quando sunlight ceases, the temperature will likely drop dramatically during the eclipse, reacting quickly to dry air that reaches 43 degrees Celsius at midday. Around Estreito and Gibraltar, where cruise ships and tour operators are concentrated, the average cloud cover in August is around 30%, complicating this part of the trajectory.

More on this story: 2027 total eclipse will last 6 minutes and 23 seconds, longest in 157 years

Impacto in millions of people

Aproximadamente 88.9 million people live within the band of totality, more than three times the population that fell under the shadow of Lua during the North American eclipse of April 2024. Para most, the eclipse will occur close to noon. Em Luxor, totality occurs at 1:02 pm local time, with Sol at 82 degrees above the horizon. Em Jeddah, on Arábia Saudita, starts at 1:22 pm. Em Tarifa, the moment comes early at 10:45, with Sol a little lower in the east.

Fora from the central band, a deep partial eclipse will extend across much of África, Europa, and Oriente Médio. Lisboa will have 93% of the solar disk obscured. Madri will reach 86%. Paris will have 52%, Londres will register 42% and Berlim only 34%. Cairo, located just south of the trajectory, will have 95% coverage. Argel and Trípoli, located at the edge of the trajectory, will reach 99.9% obscuration without ever reaching totality, a frustrating situation for observers seeking totality.

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Fenômenos rare optics during total darkness

As totality approaches, two optical effects emerge in rapid sequence. Primeiro appears the Pérolas of Baily, a sequence of bright spots where the last rays of sunlight penetrate through the recesses in the irregular edge of Lua. Elas gives way almost immediately to the effect of the diamond ring, a solitary flash that marks the moment before the lunar corona is fully exposed. Quando to Lua completely blocks the solar disk, the solar corona emerges as a pearly halo, and the surrounding sky darkens dramatically, revealing brighter stars and planets.

Learn more: 2027 solar eclipse will be the longest of the 21st century with 6 minutes of total darkness

Eye protection is mandatory during all phases, except the period of total darkness. Somente during totality is safe to observe without certified sun protection glasses. Mesmo A small amount of direct, unfiltered sunlight can cause retinal burns without warning or pain, leading to permanent vision damage. NASA notes that the interactive map for the eclipse calculates contact times without taking into account mountains and valleys along the lunar edge, corrections that could change predicted durations by one to three seconds and will be published 12 to 18 months before the event.

Raridade that won’t be repeated in decades

The next total solar eclipse will occur on July 22, 2028, visible from Ilha Christmas, Ilhas Cocos, parts of Austrália and Nova Zelândia, but its totality will be significantly shorter. The unique character of the 2027 event lies in its exceptional duration, the predictability of favorable weather conditions and the large number of people who will be able to observe the phenomenon. Planejadores travel and amateur astronomers are already beginning to organize themselves to be in the range of totality on that historic date.