The Path of Totality: An Instant Guide
To see a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027—in other words, to see the Moon completely cover the Sun—you need to be somewhere along the path of totality.
Eclipse maps, animations, and timingsThe path of totality is a narrow corridor, roughly 250 km (150 miles) wide, running across parts of southern Spain, Gibraltar, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa.
Totality lasts longest along the center line—at the northern and southern edges, it lasts only a few seconds. The longest totality of all is found near the halfway point along the center line, which is in Egypt.
Read on for this instant guide to the path of totality for the August 2027 solar eclipse. And use our interactive eclipse map to check the details for any location, including average cloud cover.
What happens at a total solar eclipse? Protect your eyes!
Atlantic Ocean
The path of totality begins at sunrise in the North Atlantic Ocean. The dark, inner part of the Moon’s shadow touches down on the globe at 08:23 UTC, and races toward the east at thousands of kilometers (or miles) per hour. 21 minutes later, the shadow reaches land.
Morocco, Spain, Gibraltar
Totality begins in Morocco at 08:44 (8:44 am) local time. Around 30 seconds later, totality arrives in Spain—although here the local time is 10:44 (10:44 am). Another 30 seconds or so after that, totality gets underway in Gibraltar, at 10:45 (10:45 am) local time.
Skies are generally clear at this time of year in northern Morocco and southern Spain—but there is a risk of early morning cloud and fog along the coast.
Average cloud cover is based on satellite data since 2000. It indicates the chance of a location being covered by cloud.
Algeria, Tunisia, Libya
The path of totality runs across North Africa from the western Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Over the course of 57 minutes, the darkest part of the Moon’s shadow crosses Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
Average cloud cover remains low on average, although dust storms from the Sahara desert could potentially pose a risk.
Average cloud cover is based on satellite data since 2000. It indicates the chance of a location being covered by cloud.
Egypt
Monumental & mystical: the 2027 eclipse in EgyptThe total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027, will produce the 2nd longest totality of the 21st century. (The longest of all—by 15 seconds—was on July 22, 2009.)
The point of greatest eclipse is in southern Egypt, about 50 km (30 miles) east of the ancient city of Luxor—here totality will last 6 minutes 24 seconds, starting at 13:03 (1:03 pm) local time.
Before then, totality begins in northern Egypt at 12:39 (12:39 pm) local time. Satellite records for August suggest that skies should be cloud-free along the Egypt section of the path of totality. Dust storms remain an occasional hazard.
Average cloud cover is based on satellite data since 2000. It indicates the chance of a location being covered by cloud.
Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia
After leaving Egypt, the path of totality clips a tiny corner of northwestern Sudan, then crosses the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the Gulf of Aden, and Somalia.
In Saudi Arabia, totality begins at 13:21 (1:21 pm) local time. The holy city of Makkah al-Mukarramah, also known as Mecca, will have 5 minutes and 14 seconds of totality.
The average cloud cover reaches some of its highest overland levels along this section of the path of totality.
Average cloud cover is based on satellite data since 2000. It indicates the chance of a location being covered by cloud.
Indian Ocean
The path of totality ends in the Indian Ocean at sunset. The innermost part of the Moon’s shadow lifts off the globe at 11:49 UTC—42 minutes after it left Somalia, and 3 hours 26 minutes after it touched down in the Atlantic.
The last bits of land to see totality will be some uninhabited islands in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), but access to this area is only allowed for people with connections to the military or government.
In Summary
There are lots of places along the path of totality for August 2027 that combine low average cloud cover with more than 4 minutes of totality.
There’s a small chance that dust storms could cause problems, and travelers should pay attention to security issues.
Always be serious about eye safety and protect your eyes.