Saudi Arabia to witness rare total solar eclipse after more than 75 years

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will witness a rare astronomical phenomenon on August 2, 2027, one not seen for more than 75 years, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The planet will experience one of the longest total solar eclipses of the 21st century, a remarkable celestial event that will temporarily turn daylight into darkness along its path. SPA said the path of totality will cross large parts of western and southern Saudi Arabia, giving the Kingdom a unique and strategic position on the global astronomical observation map for monitoring and documenting the eclipse. Residents and visitors in western and southern regions of the Kingdom will be able to witness the eclipse in its totality. In some southern areas, such as Abha, complete darkness is expected to last for approximately six minutes, while Jeddah and parts of the western coast are expected to experience around five minutes and 50 seconds of totality. These unusually long durations will provide researchers and astronomy enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to study the Sun's corona. Specialists also noted that the rest of the Kingdom—including the central, eastern, and northern regions—will experience a partial solar eclipse with varying degrees of coverage. In some areas, up to 80% of the Sun's disk is expected to be obscured, while the eclipse's duration, percentage of coverage, and precise start and end times will vary depending on each region's geographic location and coordinates. The longest duration of totality, however, is expected to occur over neighboring Egypt. SPA stressed the importance of following safety guidelines when observing the eclipse, emphasizing that people should never look directly at the Sun without using certified eclipse glasses or properly filtered telescopes and binoculars to protect their eyesight and ensure a safe viewing experience.