Washington, D.C.
Skywatchers around the globe are gearing up for one of the most extraordinary celestial events of the century—the longest solar eclipse in nearly 100 years, set to occur on 2 August 2027. NASA has announced that during this total solar eclipse, daylight will momentarily turn into darkness, creating an awe-inspiring sight across large parts of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.
This rare eclipse will last 6 minutes and 23 seconds, placing it among the longest solar eclipses ever recorded. Astronomers note that the theoretical maximum duration of a solar eclipse is 7 minutes and 32 seconds, making the 2027 event remarkably close to that limit. Such a long eclipse will not occur again until 2114.
A Celestial Spectacle Awaited Worldwide
The 2027 eclipse is expected to draw millions of spectators due to its exceptional duration and wide visibility range. Major regions across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East will witness the total eclipse, while several other parts of the world will see a partial one.
India, however, will not experience totality. Instead, residents across most Indian states will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse.
Will India See the Eclipse? Yes—Partially
According to astronomical predictions, the partial eclipse in India will be visible from 15:34 to 17:53 IST on 2 August 2027. The best partial view will be seen from Pipar, Gujarat, where the eclipse will last 1 hour and 46 minutes.
The partial eclipse will be visible across nearly the entire country, including:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
Where Will the Total Solar Eclipse Be Visible?
The path of totality—where the Sun will be completely obscured—will pass through several key regions, including:
- Spain and Gibraltar
- Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya
- Egypt, Sudan, Somalia
- Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Among these, Luxor in Egypt is expected to be one of the most ideal viewing locations, offering nearly 6.5 minutes of complete darkness.
Historical Context
The longest solar eclipse in recent history occurred on 11 July 1991, lasting 6 minutes and 53 seconds, and was visible across Hawaii, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. By comparison, the much-celebrated 2017 ‘Great American Eclipse’ lasted only 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
A Once-in-a-Century Event
With its extraordinary duration and global visibility, the 2027 eclipse is being hailed as a once-in-a-century phenomenon. NASA and astronomers worldwide are preparing for detailed observations, given the unique scientific opportunities such a prolonged eclipse offers.
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