Overview
- NASA says the eclipse will reach about 6 minutes 23 seconds of total darkness, the longest solar eclipse of this century.
- The long stretch of totality will occur because the Moon will be near its closest point to Earth and the Sun will appear slightly smaller.
- The path of totality will sweep across parts of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, with Luxor, Egypt, highlighted as a prime viewing site.
- Observers are urged to use certified solar filters and to avoid looking at the Sun without proper protection at every phase outside totality.
- Some outlets say this duration will not recur for 157 years, a claim not attributed to NASA in the reports.