‘Eclipse of the Century’ Coming August 2, 2027—But Not to the U.S.

Julie Anne Loquinario
· · ·

While rumors have swirled online about a solar eclipse happening this weekend, those headlines are premature. The so-called “eclipse of the century” will not occur until August 2, 2027. And yes, it will be one of the longest eclipses most living skywatchers will ever see.

Eclipse of the Century
Photo by Jongsun Lee on Unsplash

A Rare Six-Minute Eclipse Is Coming in 2027

According to NASA, the 2027 total solar eclipse will last up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds at its peak. That makes it the longest total solar eclipse since 1991, which clocked in at 6 minutes and 53 seconds. By comparison, the North American eclipse on April 8, 2024, lasted just 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

After 2027, we will not see an eclipse this long again until the year 2114.

Who Will Get to See It?

The eclipse will travel across parts of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Countries in the path of totality—where observers will experience full darkness—include:

  • Spain
  • Morocco
  • Algeria
  • Tunisia
  • Libya
  • Egypt
  • Sudan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Yemen
  • Somalia

Other regions will see a partial eclipse, depending on their distance from the central path.

Can Americans Watch the 2027 Eclipse?

Unfortunately, most of the U.S. will not see it. Only a tiny portion of Maine will catch a brief partial eclipse between 5:14 and 5:19 a.m. ET, and even then, it will be very low on the horizon.

The next total eclipse visible in North America will be on August 12, 2026, crossing parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Russia.

Why This Eclipse Matters

This 2027 event matters not just for its length, but for its location. The eclipse will pass over culturally rich and densely populated regions. Many seasoned eclipse chasers are already planning trips to northern Africa or the Middle East to witness the extended darkness and breathtaking corona.

NASA, eclipse scientists, and amateur astronomers all agree: if you ever wanted to travel for an eclipse, this is the one to catch.

Would you travel abroad just to witness this rare six-minute eclipse? Let us know in the comments.

More…

Julie Anne Loquinario

I'm your guide for navigating the chaos of NYC without losing your mind. I specialize in "honest" travel guides—skipping the tourist traps in favor of authentic local experiences.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *