Full Breakdown
The 2027-2028 Eclipse Trio: Totality, Annular Rings, and Where to Watch
8/17/2026, 11:26:35 AM
Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse – August 2 2027
On August 2, 2027 a total solar eclipse will sweep from southern Spain through North Africa and the Middle East. At its greatest point the Moon will cover the Sun for 6 min 23 s—the longest totality of the century (Wired). The path crosses Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia. In Egypt the eclipse passes over Luxor, delivering 6 min 19 s of total darkness (Forbes). Temperatures will drop about 10 °C (18 °F) during totality.
Early-Year Annular Eclipse – February 6 2027
An annular “ring of fire” eclipse occurs on February 6 2027 (Space). The Moon will be farther from Earth, leaving a bright ring. The annular path traverses Chile and Argentina, then the Atlantic to West Africa, including Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania. At greatest eclipse the ring lasts 10 min 27 s (Wired). In Spain cities such as Seville and Valencia will see a shorter, low-horizon ring of about seven minutes.
Third Eclipse of the Trio – January 26 2028
The final member of the “Iberian eclipse trio” is an annular eclipse on January 26 2028 (Wired). The path stretches from Ecuador and Peru across Brazil, then the Atlantic to Portugal and Spain, with Brazil hosting the longest annular segment.
Background and Astronomical Context
All three eclipses belong to Saros 136, known for long totalities. The 2027 total eclipse benefits from the Moon near perigee and Earth near aphelion, making the Moon appear larger and the Sun slightly smaller, extending totality beyond six minutes. Earlier Saros 136 events include the 1991 Mexico eclipse and the 2009 China eclipse; a future member will produce the U.S. total eclipse of 2045.
Data and Statistics
- Totality duration: 6 min 23 s (peak, Wired) vs. 6 min 19 s at Luxor.
- Annular duration: 10 min 27 s at maximum.
- Population in totality path (2027): ~89 million.
- Partial eclipse on August 12: Morocco’s northern cities recorded up to 91.97 % occultation.
On-the-Ground Observations from August 12 Eclipse
During the August 12 partial eclipse, Morocco’s coverage ranged from 91.97 % in Tangier to 59.98 % in Dakhla. Astronomy researcher Ibrahim Jabel noted intermittent cloud cover in Agadir and the scarcity of telescopes and eclipse glasses, urging investment in observatories and museums.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Duration discrepancy: Wired cites 6 min 23 s peak totality; Forbes reports 6 min 19 s for Luxor.
- Annular eclipse dates: Wired lists the 2028 annular eclipse on January 26, while Space focuses on the February 6 2027 event. Both are separate eclipses in the same Saros cycle.
- Path specifics: Detailed local viewing conditions (e.g., cloud probability in Egypt vs. Morocco) lack comprehensive forecasts.
What’s Next
Astronomy groups and tourism boards are encouraging early planning. Observers should secure certified eclipse glasses, identify optimal sites—such as Luxor for totality or coastal Brazil for the 2028 annular phase—and monitor local weather forecasts as the dates approach. No official government travel advisories or infrastructure upgrades have been announced.
