A British territory is set to experience a rare total solar eclipse next year, giving skywatchers a chance to witness the Moon completely block the Sun.
The eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, with totality expected to last for four minutes and 32 seconds in Gibraltar as reported by The Mirror.
Where will the eclipse be visible?
The path of totality will stretch across parts of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, North Africa and southern Spain.
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, will also fall directly within the path, meaning the territory will briefly be plunged into darkness during the daytime.
Dr Ryan French, a solar astrophysicist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in Boulder, Colorado, described it as the longest eclipse remaining in our lifetimes.
He also noted that much of the eclipse path passes through desert regions, where clear skies are more likely in August.
How can Britons watch the eclipse?
People living in mainland Britain will not be able to see totality from the UK.
However, those willing to travel can fly to Gibraltar from several UK cities.
Gibraltar International Airport currently operates services from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol through British Airways and easyJet.
Visitors can also travel to Gibraltar from Spain by road or train.
Best spots to watch from Gibraltar
According to Gibraltar Eclipse, visitors will have several options for watching the event.
Casemates Square, Queensway Quay and Ocean Village are among the suggested viewing locations.
Those looking for a higher vantage point could head to the Skywalk in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve.
The event will come two years after the UK’s most significant solar eclipse since 1999.
During Wednesday’s eclipse, more than 90% of the Sun was covered by the Moon across parts of the UK.
Totality, however, was only visible in parts of Spain and Iceland.
For Britons hoping to experience a total eclipse, Gibraltar could provide one of the closest opportunities next year.
