El August 2th, 2027 the sky will offer a rarely seen spectacle: the longest total solar eclipse of the century, an event that will transform the day into a brief twilight within the band of totality and that will attract thousands of curious onlookers and specialists.
When and why will it be the longest of the century?
The reference calculations, based on ephemerides of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, they place the maximum total in 6 minutes and 23 seconds, an exceptional record within the 21st century and far superior to most recent eclipses.
This unusual duration is explained by the geometry of the Earth-Moon-Sun system: the Moon will be near perigee (closer to our planet) and the Earth around the aphelion (slightly farther from the Sun). The lunar disk will appear a little larger and the solar disk somewhat smaller, prolonging the darkness in the central band.
Throughout the entire process, the following will remain visible: solar corona With its filaments and structures, the colors of the sky will tend towards grayish blue and a temperature drop of between 5 and 10 °C could be noticed, creating a strangely quiet environment in the middle of the day.
Where to watch it and showtimes in Spain
The shadow will travel along a band of about 258 kilometers wide, beginning its journey in the Atlantic, crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and crossing North Africa towards Western Asia; the route will exceed 15.000 km and cover approximately 2,5 million km².
In southern Spain, the total solar radiation will enter from the west with the sun already high in the sky; the local maximum is expected around 10:50They will enjoy total darkness in certain areas. Ceuta, Melilla, much of Cadiz, areas of Malaga and southern Granada and AlmeriaThe rest of the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands will see a partial eclipse.
- Ceuta and Melilla
- Almost the entire province of Cádiz (including Fair)
- Areas of Malaga
- Southern Granada and AlmerÃa
The totality zone will also cross Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somaliawith particularly favorable conditions in North Africa. Near Luxor (Egypt) The darkness will last for more than six minutes, one of the best spots in the world to observe the phenomenon.
Outside the central band, the eclipse will be partial in much of Europe, a good part of Africa and regions of western Asia; in our geography it will be enough to look towards the southeast to glimpse the lunar silhouette against the Sun's disk during the partial phase.
Safe observation recommendations
Looking at any part of the sun without proper protection can cause serious eye injuries in a matter of moments; only during totality (when the Sun is completely hidden) is it safe to observe with the naked eye.
For the remaining phases, use certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2) or approved sun visors. Reject products without clear standards or with scratches, and if in doubt, don't use them.
Don't look at the sun through telescopes, binoculars or cameras Without specific solar filters in the front optics; these devices concentrate the light and multiply the risk.
As a safe alternative, build a simple pinhole projector Using a box, aluminum foil, and a white cardboard: with the sun at your back, the small hole in the aluminum will project the image of the solar disk onto the white surface.
Scientific and tourist impact
The duration and route of the event will offer a scientific opportunity to study the solar corona, the solar wind, and the interaction with the magnetosphere and the Earth's atmosphere under ideal conditions.
Countries in the totality band, such as Egypt, Morocco and Saudi ArabiaThey are preparing observation routes, outreach activities, and logistics for an astronomical tourism which is expected to be very remarkable.
It's important to debunk myths: There will not be a global blackoutThe darkness is limited to the strip of totality and resembles a 360° twilight; outside that corridor, the light will simply decrease for a few minutes.
If you plan to travel, book in advance in prime locations in southern Spain such as Ceuta, Melilla, Cadiz or MalagaAnd keep in mind that, after this event, Spain will not see another total eclipse until... 2053.
With a total that will reach 6 minutes y 23 secondsWith a route crossing the Strait and favorable conditions in the southern Iberian Peninsula, the longest eclipse of the century will be a unique opportunity to observe live science from Spain and Europealways with safety and a little planning.