On August 2, 2027, a rare total solar eclipse will take place, visible across parts of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. What sets this eclipse apart is its duration: lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds, it will be the longest visible from land between 1991 and 2114. For reference, most solar eclipses last under three minutes.
The path of totality — the area where complete darkness will be experienced — stretches across southern Spain, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, central Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia, before ending over the Indian Ocean near the Chagos Archipelago.
Among the best places to observe the full six-minute eclipse are locations in Libya and Egypt, where skies in August are generally clear and dry. Luxor in Egypt is expected to be one of the most ideal observation points.
For the UAE, this eclipse will only be partially visible, but it’s still a notable event. The last total solar eclipse seen from the UAE occurred in 2003, and the next one is not expected until September 3, 2081.
While this rare phenomenon is still two years away, there’s plenty to look forward to closer to home. Dubai Fitness Challenge returns this November, bringing new activities and events to explore across the city.
