A rare total solar eclipse is coming to Saudi Arabia
Mark your calendars
Saudi Arabia is all set to witness one of the longest rare total solar eclipses of the 21st century, a remarkable celestial event that will temporarily turn daylight into darkness along its path. Here’s what you need to know about the rare total solar eclipse in Saudi Arabia.
Happening on Monday August 2, 2027, a rare total solar eclipse in Saudi Arabia has not been seen for more than 75 years, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
حدث تاريخي ينتظر سماء المملكة 🇸🇦✨
في الثاني من أغسطس 2027م، الموافق 29 صفر 1449هـ، نحن على موعد مع ظاهرة الكسوف الكلي للشمس في حدث فلكي استثنائي لم تشهده المملكة منذ أكثر من 75 عاما.https://t.co/aFkghhz7e5#وكالة_الفضاء_السعودية pic.twitter.com/XEz9H8aos0— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) July 16, 2026
The path of the eclipse 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 entirety. 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 total darkness.
These unusually long durations will provide researchers and astronomy enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to study the Sun’s corona. Residents in the rest of the Kingdom, including the central, eastern, and northern regions, will experience a partial solar eclipse with varying degrees of coverage according to specialists.
Cities in these regions will witness the partial eclipse with obscuration reaching up to 80 per cent, with exact timings and coverage varying by location. The longest duration of the rare phenomenon, however, is expected to occur over neighbouring Egypt.
The Saudi Space Agency stressed the importance of following safety guidelines when observing the eclipse, emphasising 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.
The Saudi Space Agency, previously known as the Saudi Space Commission, is dedicated to achieving the Kingdom’s ambitious vision of becoming a global leader in the space sector. It aims to contribute to local scientific and economic advancement through innovation and space exploration.
For more information, please visit: ssa.gov.sa
Image: Getty
