Mark your calendar: 2027 brings a "ring of fire" eclipse and a record-long total eclipse

The sky has something big in store for eclipse chasers. In 2027, skywatchers will be able to witness not one, but two major solar eclipse events with a gap of just six months. The first will create a striking “ring of fire” in February, while the second, in August, will turn day into night along its path of totality and is already being called the “eclipse of the century.” If you’re thinking about getting on an eclipse trip, this could be the year to start making those plans. 

The “ring of fire” eclipse: when and where to watch

The first annual solar eclipse of 2027 will take place on February 06, 2027, when the Moon will line up with the Sun, but it will be a little farther away than a total solar eclipse. Those who are keeping an eye on this event will be able to see a “ring of fire”, which is where a bright ring of sunlight will glow around the Moon’s edges. 

It will be visible for those near Easter Island in the South Pacific and stretch all the way to the Gulf of Guinea along Africa’s west coast. The viewing path will be roughly 180 to 220 miles wide. The solar eclipse will also pass over southern Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, a small part of Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. 

For skywatchers watching in Africa, the eclipse will be visible along the coastlines of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. This event will be the longest annular eclipse of the decade, as its peak activity will remain for about 7 minutes and 51 seconds. This is where the Moon will cover 93% of the Sun and create the ring effect. Viewers from parts of South America and West Africa will be able to see a partial eclipse. 

“Eclipse of the century”: when and where to see it

One of the major skywatching events of 2027 will be the “eclipse of the century” that will appear in the sky on August 02, 2027. This one will pass across North Africa, and it will be the longest totality seen since 1991, and the longest one after this won’t be visible until 2114. For this, the totality will last for about 6 minutes and 23 seconds to cross the planet. 

The Moon’s shadow will be about 160 miles wide and will take roughly 3 hours and 20 minutes. The path covers the Atlantic Ocean, southern Spain, northern Morocco, northern Algeria, northern Tunisia, northeast Libya, and central Egypt. On top of that, this eclipse will also cover the northeastern tip of Sudan, southwestern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the northeastern tip of Somalia, before departing just east of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

More on Starlust:

Total solar eclipse 2026 recap: Key highlights, images, videos and what comes next

Why are total solar eclipses so rare, and how can you watch one safely?