The Astronomical Society in Jeddah revealed that Saudi Arabia’s skies will witness a total solar eclipse on the 2nd of August 2027, marking one of the most significant astronomical events in the 21st century. This rare event will be visible for the first time in over a century across the western and southwestern regions of the Kingdom, providing a unique opportunity for scientists, educators, and the public to experience the greatness of the universe up close.
The President of the society, Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, stated that Jeddah is among the best cities to witness the eclipse, with a total duration of approximately 6 minutes. Other distinguished locations include Taif, Abha, Bisha, Al-Baha, and Jazan, where residents and visitors can enjoy a fascinating cosmic spectacle in broad daylight. This event presents a golden opportunity for studying the sun’s corona, solar flares, as well as conducting scientific experiments related to relativity and gravity that are only achievable during such phenomena.
Abu Zahra explained that a total eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely obscuring the solar disk for a brief period. During this event, daylight turns into darkness, and the sun’s outer corona, known as the corona, appears remarkably to the naked eye. The eclipse proceeds through three main stages: the partial eclipse begins when the moon starts covering part of the sun, followed by the total eclipse when the sun’s disk is completely obscured, and finally, the end of the partial eclipse as the moon moves away and the sun’s rays gradually reappear.
This eclipse will be the longest in the region for over 100 years, with a total duration of around 6 minutes in some areas, making it one of the longest astronomically possible periods. The clear skies in Saudi Arabia during the summer months, particularly in relatively high and dry regions such as Asir, enhance the chances of excellent visibility, attracting thousands of visitors from within and outside the Kingdom to these areas. This event presents an ideal opportunity to boost astronomical tourism and stimulate the local economy in cities along the path of the total eclipse.
Abu Zahra emphasized that the total solar eclipse in August 2027 is not just a passing astronomical phenomenon but a rare moment where science, culture, and nature converge in a majestic cosmic scene. It serves as a symbolic reminder of the power of science and its ability to predict these phenomena with remarkable precision. Moreover, it reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to keep pace with the scientific and astronomical world under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, potentially sparking a new phase of societal interest in astronomy and setting the stage for the establishment of a permanent national observatory to enhance the Kingdom’s presence in the international scientific arena.
It is worth mentioning that the last similar eclipse of this magnitude was visible in the Arabian Peninsula in 1905, adding a deep historical dimension to the 2027 event.
