Social media has been buzzing with excitement over reports of an upcoming solar eclipse, but astronomy experts have clarified an important detail: the event will not occur this year.
The highly anticipated total solar eclipse is set for August 2, 2027, promising to be the longest of the century. According to the Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG), the 2027 solar eclipse will last an impressive six minutes and 23 seconds in the path of totality.
Khadija Al Hariri, Operations Manager at DAG, confirmed that the phenomenon will begin at 1:25 PM UAE time and will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for many. This eclipse surpasses all others since 1991 and will remain unmatched until 2114.
While the solar eclipse will be total across parts of the world, the UAE will only experience a partial eclipse. In Dubai, the moon will obscure around 53 percent of the Sun at its peak, creating a dramatic crescent-shaped Sun.
Other emirates will experience coverage between 50 and 57 percent. Neighboring countries such as Oman, Jordan, Iraq, and parts of India will also see a partial eclipse.
The path of totality, where the Sun will be completely blocked, stretches across southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, southern Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Residents in these regions will witness the rare sight of the Sun’s corona fully revealed in the darkened sky.
Al Hariri highlighted the significance of this event for astronomy enthusiasts. “The last partial solar eclipse visible from the UAE occurred on October 25, 2022. The next one after 2027 will be on June 1, 2030. A total eclipse visible from the UAE will not occur until September 3, 2081,” she said.
Additionally, the region will witness a total lunar eclipse on September 7, 2025.
Solar eclipses occur two to five times each year globally, but total eclipses remain extremely rare. Many regions experience decades between such sightings, making the 2027 event particularly special.
DAG has also issued safety guidelines for observing the solar eclipse. Residents are strongly advised never to look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.
Certified ISO 12312-2 solar viewing glasses are recommended, while regular sunglasses are not safe. For photography or telescopic viewing, solar filters must be fitted to the front of the equipment to avoid severe eye injury. Indirect viewing methods such as pinhole projectors or solar projection are considered safe alternatives.
To make the event accessible, the Dubai Astronomy Group will host a public viewing session with solar telescopes, live commentary from experts, and educational activities. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the eclipse from locations in the path of totality will be available.
As the countdown begins for this extraordinary celestial spectacle, astronomers are reminding the public to mark their calendars — August 2, 2027, will be a day to remember for skywatchers across the UAE and beyond.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members