Saudi Arabia to witness rare total solar eclipse after more than 75 years

3:36 PM, July 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia's location places it directly in the path of totality for this rare event, drawing global attention from astronomers and skywatchers.

(Saudi Press Agency)

July 16, 2026 | 03:36 PM

Saudi Gazette

Last Updated: July 16, 2026 | 05:45 PM

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RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will witness a rare astronomical phenomenon on August 2, 2027, one not seen for more than 75 years, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Earth is set to witness one of the longest total solar eclipses in the 21st century, a dramatic celestial event that will briefly plunge daytime into darkness along its trajectory.

SPA said the path of totality 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.

People living in or traveling to western and southern parts of Saudi Arabia will have the opportunity to see the full eclipse.

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 totality.

These unusually long durations will provide researchers and astronomy enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to study the Sun's corona.

Specialists also noted that the rest of the Kingdom—including the central, eastern, and northern regions—will experience a partial solar eclipse with varying degrees of coverage.

In some areas, up to 80% of the Sun's disk is expected to be obscured, while the eclipse's duration, percentage of coverage, and precise start and end times will vary depending on each region's geographic location and coordinates.

The longest duration of totality, however, is expected to occur over neighboring Egypt.

SPA stressed the importance of following safety guidelines when observing the eclipse, emphasizing 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 extended duration of totality offers a valuable chance for scientists to observe the Sun's corona in detail. Such long eclipses are infrequent, making this an important opportunity for both research and public engagement. The event also highlights Saudi Arabia's growing role in hosting international astronomical observations.