Solar Eclipse that will see the “world to go dark for six minutes” on August 2: What NASA’s ‘update’ says
A viral claim is circulating online and on social media platforms that the whole world will go dark for six minutes on the upcoming August 2, 2025. Some posts even claim that this event won’t happen again for 100 years. Denying all rumours, experts say the claim is not true and that there will be no blackout on August 2, 2025. Instead, astronomical records from NASA shows that a total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on August 2, 2027 i.e. two years from the date specified in rumours. The data shows that on August 2, 2027, the Moon’s shadow will pass over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, creating a rare celestial event that hasn’t been seen in decades.
‘Eclipse of the Century’
The total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, is being called the “eclipse of the century” because it will offer the longest period of darkness on land in the 21st century. The eclipse will last up to 6 minutes and 22 seconds — the longest since 1991.The eclipse will be visible across a narrow path stretching about 160 miles (258 kilometers) wide and covering 9,462 miles (15,227 kilometers) of Earth’s surface. In total, it will pass over parts of 11 countries including Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia.The event, while significant, will affect only a small portion of the planet. Those within this path of totality will experience the sky turning dark in broad daylight, though experts note it will feel more like a 360-degree twilight. A partial eclipse will also be visible in much of Africa, Europe, and southern Asia. North America and other parts of the world will not see any eclipse activity.
What is a total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and the Earth, covering the Sun completely. This blocks sunlight from reaching the earth for a short period of time, thus turning daytime into near darkness where the eclipse is live. Here’s how total solar eclipse works
- The Moon casts a shadow on the Earth.
- People standing in the path of the Moon’s shadow will see the Sun totally blocked out.
- During this time, you may see the Sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona, which is usually hidden by the bright light of the Sun.
- A total solar eclipse usually lasts only a few minutes, and it can only be seen from a narrow strip of land on Earth.
Next solar eclipse of 2025
The next solar eclipse of 2025 is scheduled to occur on September 21. It will be a partial eclipse where the moon partially covers the Sun’s disk. This alignment causes the Sun to appear as if a portion has been taken out of it, resembling a crescent shape.
