July 21, 2025 | Dubai, UAE:  The longest solar eclipse ever visible on land since 1991 and until 2114, astronomers and sky watchers on three continents are gearing up for a once-a-millennium and awe-inspiring spectacle on Aug. 2, 2027. The awe-inspiring spectacle will cast up to six minutes of darkness in locations under its path and surprise millions with a rare sight.

The solar eclipse will travel across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Middle East, North Africa, and south Europe before it dissolves in the Indian Ocean. It would be an experience of a lifetime for the majority of the viewers to be able to see the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century.

Longest Solar Eclipse Viewing Times and Locations Across Three Continents

“Six minutes of darkness will give scientists and amateur astronomers a rare opportunity to observe the solar corona and atmospheric effects normally only observable for a few seconds,” Emirates Astronomical Society head astronomer Dr. Reem Al Khouri explained. “Not only is the effect enormous in magnitude but scientifically interesting as well.”

The Sun will be totally eclipsed by the Moon in a 258-kilometer wide track. Sites such as Luxor in Egypt will be excellent locations, which ought to capture the whole six minutes of darkness. Weather at this location during early August is normally dry and clear, so it is an excellent site to observe eclipses.

The Solar eclipse Maximum will be visible as Shadow of the Moon starts over the Atlantic Ocean and passes over southern Spain, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, central Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia. It will then disappear over the Indian Ocean off the Chagos Archipelago.

The UAE population will not be in the path of totality but can make a visit to surrounding countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia in a bid to view the eclipse from start to finish. Tour operators within the UAE have already begun organizing special eclipse getaways, and most getaways incorporate best points for optimum views.

This is the decade’s biggest astronomy event,” stated Sameer Qureshi, CEO of Stargaze Arabia Travel. “We are organizing tours to the eclipse path where individuals can witness the longest solar eclipse and those wonderful six minutes of darkness.”.

The Science Behind the Longest Solar Eclipse

The reason why this eclipse will not be of the usual kind is that there is a coincidence of the unorthodox position of celestial bodies. The Earth will be in aphelion, farthest from the Sun during the eclipse, and the Sun will consequently be smaller in diameter. The Moon will be at perigee, closest to the Earth and a bit larger than average size. The alignment gives the Moon the ability to cover up the Sun for an extremely long period of time, and the actual eclipse is also the longest solar eclipse in decades.

Also, because the path of an eclipse along the equator causes the Moon’s shadow to slowly crawl over the Earth’s surface, this becomes the longest duration of totality. All these add up to six minutes of darkness in some places, and this helps to make the phenomenon an unmatched science and spectacle.

The Gulf observatories and the UAE Space Agency are working together to try and get people educated and informed on how to safely view it. Scientists are recommending viewers not to use anything but ISO-certified solar glasses and never ever look at the Sun without protection, even if it is a partial occurrence.

Even though the UAE will not experience totality, it is a good opportunity to spread awareness on astronomy,” said Mariam Al Hosani, spokesperson at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. “We are carrying out educational activities, telescope demonstrations, and open workshops to commemorate the longest solar eclipse of the modern age.”.

With the whole world becoming more electrified by the phenomenon, most of the witnesses are calling the 2027 eclipse “the century’s most eagerly anticipated sky spectacle.” Along the way, the six minutes of darkness would be in wonder, awe, and greater appreciation of the vastness of the universe.

With its wider span, good weather, and accurate astronomical timing, the century’s longest solar eclipse will be an event to which individuals of various age groups will have a chance to bear witness. With preparation already in process for August 2, 2027, astronomers are calling on the public to plan, responsibly travel, and witness the most brilliant makeover of the sky.

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