On the afternoon of 2 August 2027, Saudi Arabia will witness a spectacular astronomical event: a total solar eclipse lasting nearly six minutes, the longest of the century and the first to cross the Kingdom in more than 75 years.
For a brief period, day will turn into night. The Moon will completely cover the Sun, temperatures will drop, stars will appear in the daytime sky, and the Sun’s glowing outer atmosphere — the corona — will be visible to the naked eye, reports the Gulf News.
The Saudi Space Agency has described it as “the most significant astronomical event of the century.”
Why Saudi Arabia will see it
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly, with the Moon blocking the Sun’s disk and casting its shadow on Earth. Because the Moon is both 400 times smaller and 400 times closer than the Sun, they appear the same size from Earth.
The shadow, known as the path of totality, is narrow — only a few hundred kilometers wide — so eclipses are rare for any single location. While one happens somewhere on Earth every 18 months, most places wait centuries for their turn.
In 2027, the path of totality will cross North Africa, Egypt, the Red Sea, and western and southern Saudi Arabia, before moving into the Indian Ocean. The Kingdom lies directly under this shadow at the right moment, making the event possible.
Why this eclipse lasts longer
The timing makes this eclipse exceptional. In early August, Earth is at its farthest point from the Sun, making the Sun appear slightly smaller. Meanwhile, the Moon will be near its closest point to Earth, appearing slightly larger. A larger Moon covering a smaller Sun means longer darkness.
• The longest duration worldwide — just over six minutes — will occur in Egypt.
• In Saudi Arabia, southern cities like Abha will experience about six minutes of darkness.
• Jeddah and the western coast will see nearly 5 minutes 50 seconds.
For comparison, most eclipses last only two minutes, making this a rare opportunity for scientists to study the corona.
Where the shadow will fall
According to Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, President of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, the eclipse will be visible across many major Saudi cities: Mecca, Jeddah, Taif, Al Baha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan, and Najran.
Smaller towns inside the path include Tuwal, Dahban, Asfan, Khulais, Jumum, Bahrah, Al Hada, Al Shafa, Al Leith, Al Mandaq, Baljurashi, Majardah, Al Qunfudhah, Sabt Al Alaya, Al Namas, Tanuma, Bariq, Ahad Rafidah, Baish, Sabya, Dhahran Al Janoub, and Sarat Abidah.
Regions outside the path including Riyadh and the Eastern Province will still see a partial eclipse, with up to 80 per cent of the Sun covered.
When to watch
The eclipse will unfold over three hours:
• Partial phase begins: 11:41am Arabia Standard Time
• Total eclipse: Between 1:21pm and 1:44pm
• Event ends: Around 3:00pm
What it will feel like
In the final seconds before totality, the sunlight takes on a silvery tone and shadows grow razor‑sharp. Then, suddenly, darkness falls. Twilight sweeps in from the horizon, the air cools, and bright stars and planets emerge in the middle of the day.
At the center of the darkened sky hangs the eclipsed Sun, a black disk surrounded by the shimmering white glow of the corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere normally hidden by daylight. These few minutes are precious to scientists, which is why a six‑minute eclipse is considered extraordinary.
At 99 per cent coverage, the sky dims but the full spectacle never begins. You are either inside the path of totality or you are not. For those who can travel, being inside that path is worth the effort.
Where to watch
The rule is simple: get inside the path of totality and stay close to its center line, the imaginary track running down the middle of the shadow. The closer you are to the center, the longer the darkness lasts.
- Jeddah and the Red Sea coast: Convenient for visitors, with a major airport, hotels, and nearly 5 minutes 50 seconds of darkness. Beaches provide wide, unobstructed views.
- Abha and Khamis Mushait highlands: Longest duration in the Kingdom, about six minutes. High altitude offers clearer skies, though afternoon clouds are possible in August.
- Taif and Al Baha: Cooler mountain weather, comfortably inside the path. Ideal for escaping summer heat.
- Open desert locations: Perfect for photographers. Flat horizons away from buildings give dramatic views of the shadow sweeping across the land.
Local astronomy groups, including the Jeddah Astronomy Society, plan public viewing events with telescopes and certified equipment, excellent for families and first‑time observers. For those unable to travel, major space agencies and observatories will stream the eclipse live online.
Will the UAE see it?
Yes, but only partially. The path of totality passes hundreds of miles west and southwest of the Emirates. Dubai, about 830 miles away, will not experience total darkness.
Instead, the UAE will see a partial eclipse:
- In Dubai, the Moon will cover about 53% of the Sun between 1:33pm and 3:48pm local time.
- Western and southern areas of the country will see up to 61% coverage.
The Sun will shrink into a crescent and the light will soften, but there will be no corona, no stars, and no midday darkness. Those belong only to the path of totality.
How to watch safely
The Saudi Space Agency stresses one rule above all: never look directly at the Sun without proper protection. Permanent eye damage can occur, and no stage of a partial eclipse is safe for the naked eye.
- Certified eclipse glasses only. Regular sunglasses are not protective.
- Inspect glasses before use; discard if scratched or damaged.
- Never aim binoculars, telescopes, or cameras at the Sun without solar filters. Focused sunlight can destroy equipment and eyesight instantly.
- Keep glasses on during all partial phases. The only safe time to look with bare eyes is during totality, when the Sun is fully covered. The moment sunlight returns glasses must go back on.
