The biggest eclipse of our lifetimes

On August 2, 2027, a long total solar eclipse will flood Egypt, the most incredible place I have ever seen on Earth.

Tutankhamun's funerary artifacts are housed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, one of the destinations for Astronomy's upcoming 2027 eclipse viewing trips, which will capture the largest eclipse in our lifetimes. Credit: Eclipse Traveler

I have been an astronomy enthusiast for 48 years, and I have rarely been as excited about an observational event as I am about the eclipse that will occur in three years. On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will leave its mark on the eastern Atlantic Ocean, across the Strait of Gibraltar, between Spain and Morocco, and over parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Start saving now: this event will be the best eclipse you can see for decades to come, for two main reasons.

First, it will be an exceptionally long eclipse. At its peak, totality will last 6 minutes and 23 seconds, which is about as long as a total eclipse can last. (The longest solar eclipse coming will offer totality of 7 minutes and 29 seconds, but we will have to wait another 162 years to see it.)

Secondly, the best place to view the eclipse will be Egypt. Maximum totality occurs there and the probability of photometrically clear skies in August in Egypt is practically 100%.

I have been to many places in this world over the last half century. As a guy who in another life would have wanted to be an archaeologist, I have a deep love for Italy and Greece. But I tell you that the scale of the wonders, the size and preservation of the monuments and antiquities in Egypt surpasses all other places.

Here’s something incredibly exciting: totality will be visible from Luxor (ancient Thebes), Egypt, one of the country’s most famous archaeological sites, home to Luxor Temple. It’s a spectacular place to see without an eclipse. Imagine watching a 6+ minute total eclipse from Luxor, strolling around the Temple, and then crossing the Nile to see the nearby Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, packed with incredible tombs, including the astronomically famous resting place of our old friend Tutankhamun.

He Astronomy The staff is gearing up to cover this massive viewing event in every way possible, and we look forward to having a significant staff on the ground in the shadow of the Moon. Our travel partner, Eclipse Traveler, also offers tours, and I believe our editors will be accompanying them in three different ways.

You can check out Eclipse Traveler tours here: https://www.eclipsetraveler.com/2027-solar-eclipse-tours/

I will continue to keep you posted on more information and plans for this amazing and historic event. Stay tuned!

David J. Eicher is editor of Astronomy magazine.