El August 2th, 2027 It will be a major event for astronomy: the longest total solar eclipse of the century Visible from land. Millions of people will be able to witness a phenomenon that will turn day into night for a few minutes, with a maximum duration of 6 minutes and 23 seconds.
In Europe, attention will focus on the southern Iberian Peninsula: The path of totality will touch the southern tip of Spain, including Ceuta and Melilla and coastal areas of Cadiz and Malaga, while the rest of the country will experience a major partial eclipse.
Why this eclipse will be exceptionally long
The key is in the celestial geometry: the The moon will be very close to perigeeThis increases its apparent size and lengthens the shadow it casts on the Earth's surface. In this way, the entire area extends further than usual and clearly reveals the solar corona, the outermost region of the Sun's atmosphere.
The calculations of Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA) They place the maximum record at 6 minutes and 23 seconds, a milestone not expected to be repeated for decades. Although 6 minutes and 38 seconds was reached in 2009, that peak occurred in the middle of the Pacific Oceanfar from large inhabited areas.
Shadow Route: Spain and the Totality Strip
In Spain, the shadow corridor will touch the southern end and will leave privileged observation points in Ceuta, Melilla, and coastal areas of Cádiz and Málaga. Good concealment rates are also expected in Granada and Almeria, although outside the core of the whole.
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Libya
- Egypt
- Sudan
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
- Somalia
El world's highest It will occur around Luxor (Egypt)where the sun will be hidden for more than six minutes. In Ceuta, estimates predict about 4 minutes and 48 seconds of total darkness; an extraordinary figure for European territory.
Observation times and what to expect from the sky
The models indicate that the partial phase It will begin around 8:00 UTC (10:00 in mainland Spain, CEST). Totality will begin shortly after, depending on the observation point within the eclipse zone.
The full phenomenon will surpass the three hours between partial and total phases. During the peak, the sky will take on a twilight hue, and [something] will emerge the brightest stars and the temperature could drop between 5 and 10 °C.
Eye safety and recommendations
La NASA and the JPL They remind us that the Sun should not be looked at directly without proper protection. Only during the moments of totality is it safe to observe with the naked eye.
For the remaining phases, it is essential to use Glasses with ISO 12312-2 certified filter or indirect methods (such as pinhole projection). Ordinary sunglasses and looking through cameras or mobile phones without a specific filter are not effective.
Scientific opportunity and astronomical tourism
The event will allow for the study of the magnetic structure of the solar corona and the effects of the shadow on Earth's atmosphere, with coordinated surface observations and data from the Parker Solar Probe.
On the social and economic level, the following are expected observation programs and cultural activities in countries along the belt, with particular interest in North Africa due to its record of clear skies and low humidity. In Spain, the southern peninsula will prepare safe and easily accessible observation points.
A highly interesting appointment that It combines science, landscape, and safety.The longest total solar eclipse of the century, with a maximum of 6:23, and a path that crosses Gibraltar with visible impact in southern Spain, will offer a unique experience as long as eye protection guidelines are followed and a location with good weather is chosen.
