Exactly 300 days from today, one of the most extraordinary astronomical events of the century will sweep across parts of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East.

On Aug. 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will see the moon completely cover the sun for up to 6 minutes, 23 seconds. That will make it the longest total solar eclipse visible from land since 1991 — and there won’t be a longer one anywhere on Earth until 2114.

For eclipse chasers, the countdown to the so-called “eclipse of the century” is now measured in months, not years.

Why The 2027 Total Solar Eclipse Is So Special

Total solar eclipses happen somewhere on Earth every 16 months on average, and in a specific location every 366 years — mathematically speaking — but few last anywhere near as long as this one.

For example, the total solar eclipse seen across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada on April 8, 2024 delivered a maximum of about 4 minutes, 28 seconds of totality. On Aug. 2, 2027, the maximum will be almost two minutes longer — and over three times longer than the last total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026.

The 2027 eclipse belongs to Saros 136, a repeating family of eclipses that also produced the exceptionally long total solar eclipse of July 22, 2009. Every 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours — the time it takes for the moon to orbit Earth 223 times — an ultra-long totality occurs. Cue Aug. 2, 2027.

Where To See The Total Solar Eclipse On Aug. 2, 2027

The path of totality — the narrow path across Earth’s surface where the sun will be completely eclipsed—will be about 160 miles (258 kilometers) wide and 9,462 miles (15,227 kilometers) long. It will cross southern Spain and Gibraltar before sweeping across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. It will then continue across a tiny corner of Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia before heading out over the Indian Ocean.

Southern Spain will be among the most accessible options for European eclipse chasers, with destinations along the Mediterranean coast experiencing up to almost five minutes of totality.

Farther east, Tunisia will experience more than five minutes in places, while Egypt will host the headline act. Near Luxor, totality will last about 6 minutes, 23 seconds, with the eclipsed sun high in the midday sky.

What You’ll See During Totality

Totality is pure drama. In the final seconds before totality, daylight will rapidly fade as the moon’s shadow races across the landscape. When the sun is completely covered, its corona — the sun’s outer atmosphere — will become visible around the black silhouette of the moon. Bright planets and stars may appear, temperatures will drop, and the horizon may glow with twilight colors.

Solar eclipse glasses must be worn throughout the partial phases, but must be removed during the brief period of totality when the sun is completely covered. That’s the only way you can see the corona.

Why You Should Start Planning Now

With 300 days to go, choosing where to watch is becoming increasingly important. Accommodation in prime eclipse destinations is in high demand, and organized tours are already filling up.

The closer you are to the centerline of the path, the more of the moon’s shadow crosses your location, so the longer the totality. Ditto for the greatest point of totality, which occurs in Luxor, Egypt, where you’ll experience 6 minutes, 22 seconds of totality. At that point, the distance between the Earth and mon is at its minimum, so the shadow is both at its widest and crosses at its slowest.

However, there’s no need to obsess over reaching that maximum point or even the centerline. A location offering four or five minutes of totality will deliver an exceptionally long eclipse — and factors such as accessibility, weather prospects and extreme summer heat may ultimately matter more than squeezing out every last second. Since most eclipse chasers will cross the planet for even a few seconds of totality, everyone in the path will get a great experience.

When Is The Next Total Solar Eclipse?

The previous total solar eclipse occurred on Aug. 12, 2026, when the moon’s shadow crossed Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. After Aug. 2, 2027, the next total solar eclipse will occur on July 22, 2028, when totality will sweep across Australia — including Sydney — and New Zealand.

For anyone hoping to stand beneath the moon’s shadow in 2027, the biggest decision is increasingly simple — where will you be on Aug. 2?

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

Disclaimer: I am the author of the Complete Guide to the Total Solar Eclipse 2027 and edit WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com . I will be lecturing on a sold-out trip to Luxor, Egypt, organixed by New Scientist Discovery Tours.