On August 2, 2027, people in Turkmenistan and across the world will have the chance to witness an extraordinary total solar eclipse lasting around 6 minutes and 23 seconds at its peak. Astronomers predict this will be the longest total solar eclipse observable on land at least until 2114.

The full eclipse will pass over Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Around 89 million people will be within its visibility path, from southern Spain to the shores of the Red Sea and parts of East Africa near Somalia. During the eclipse, the sky will darken, bright stars and planets will appear, temperatures may drop slightly, and the Sun’s corona will be visible around the Moon.

The unusually long duration is due to a rare combination of factors: the Moon will be near perigee (its closest point to Earth) and appear larger than usual, while the Earth will be near aphelion (farthest point from the Sun), making the Sun slightly smaller. The Moon’s shadow will pass over tropical regions where it moves slower, further extending the eclipse. The maximum eclipse is expected near Luxor, Egypt.

The eclipse’s path starts over the Atlantic Ocean, crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, southern Spain, North African countries, the Middle East, and ends over the Indian Ocean. In Turkmenistan, only a partial view will be visible, yet even a small glimpse offers a remarkable cosmic experience.