Just 100 days from today, an exceptional annular solar eclipse is set to grace the skies above select regions in South America and West Africa. Scheduled for February 6, 2027, this rare celestial phenomenon will frame the new moon with a dazzling "ring of fire" lasting an astonishing duration of up to 7 minutes and 51 seconds.

Where And When To See 2027’s ‘Ring Of Fire’

Spanning an immense pathway of 9,011 miles (14,501 kilometers) and measuring between 180 and 220 miles (289 to 355 kilometers) across, the trajectory of annularity originates in the South Pacific and sweeps through Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, across the Atlantic Ocean, and into Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.

Prime observation vantage points are expected within northern Patagonia, Argentina, as the eclipse track intersects the region during the summer months. Notable viewing locations feature El Maitén, Esquel, and Trevelin to the west, alongside Las Grutas situated along Argentina's Atlantic coastline. Meanwhile, West African nations including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria will witness a breathtaking golden sunset ring of fire, provided weather conditions permit clear skies.

What Eclipse Chasers Will See

As the alignment unfolds, the moon will present a smaller visual profile than the sun, leaving an exposed, glowing perimeter of sunlight—known as an annulus—encircling the lunar disk. This iconic ring of fire demands certified solar eclipse glasses for safe viewing and will persist for nearly eight minutes, establishing it as one of the most prolonged annular eclipses throughout the entire decade of the 2020s.

When Is The Next Annular Solar Eclipse?

Despite its remarkable duration, this celestial spectacle will soon be eclipsed by an even longer event. Exactly one lunar year later, on January 26, 2028, a subsequent annular eclipse will feature a peak duration of 10 minutes and 27 seconds, securing its place as the second-longest ring of fire of the 21st century. (For historical context, the century's absolute longest occurred on January 15, 2010, lasting 11 minutes and 8 seconds.) The 2028 path of annularity will traverse the Galápagos Islands, mainland Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana, Morocco, and Spain.

When Is The Next Total Solar Eclipse In The U.S.?

For observers tracking total solar eclipses in the United States, the next occurrence takes place on March 30, 2033, plunging northern Alaska into darkness. Cities like Nome will experience totality for roughly two and a half minutes with the sun positioned low in the sky. Following that, a total eclipse will sweep over the contiguous U.S. on August 23, 2044, touching portions of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota before tracking into Canada. A mere year later, on August 12, 2045, an expansive eclipse route will stretch from California to Florida, delivering up to six minutes of totality across America's heartland.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.