Solar Eclipse: Meaning, Types and the Next Dates
By KosmoHow Kosmo makes its readings
A solar eclipse happens when a new Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth and its shadow falls on part of our planet. Depending on where you stand and how far away the Moon is, the Sun looks completely covered (total), reduced to a bright ring (annular) or partly covered (partial). The next two solar eclipses are an annular eclipse on 6 February 2027 and a total eclipse on 2 August 2027.
How a solar eclipse works
The Moon’s shadow has two parts. In the dark inner shadow, the umbra, the Sun is completely hidden; in the wider, fainter penumbra it is only partly covered. Where the umbra touches the ground it is only a few hundred kilometres wide, so the total phase is seen along a narrow track while a much larger area sees a partial eclipse. Total eclipses are possible at all because the Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon and also about 400 times farther away, so the two look almost the same size in our sky.
Total, annular, partial and hybrid
| Type | What the Moon does | What you see | Eye protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Covers the Sun’s bright face completely | The sky darkens and the corona appears; totality lasts from a few seconds to about seven and a half minutes | Eclipse glasses during the partial phases; bare eyes only during the brief complete totality |
| Annular | Is too far from Earth to cover the whole Sun | A bright ring of sunlight around the Moon | Eclipse glasses or a solar viewer at all times |
| Partial | Covers only part of the Sun | A dark bite taken out of the Sun | Eclipse glasses or a solar viewer at all times |
| Hybrid | Looks annular in some places and total in others | A ring or totality, depending on location | The rules for annular and total eclipses |
Why there isn’t a solar eclipse every new Moon
The Moon’s orbit is tilted by about five degrees compared with Earth’s orbit around the Sun. At most new Moons, the Moon passes a little above or below the Sun as seen from Earth and its shadow misses us. An eclipse needs the new Moon to fall close to one of the two points where the orbits cross, which is why eclipses arrive in seasons roughly every six months. NASA counts four to seven eclipses each year, solar and lunar together.
The path of totality and the partial region
Being near an eclipse is not the same as being in it. Only people inside the central path see a total or annular eclipse; everyone else under the penumbra sees a partial eclipse, which can look striking but never shows the corona. Even a Sun that is 99 per cent covered is still too bright to look at without protection. NASA’s maps, linked below, show both the central path and the wider partial region for each eclipse.
The 2027 solar eclipses
- 6 February 2027, annular: the ring is visible along a path through Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, then Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Large areas of South America, Africa and Antarctica see a partial eclipse. The ring lasts up to 7 minutes 51 seconds.
- 2 August 2027, total: totality crosses southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Most of Europe, much of Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia see a partial eclipse. Totality lasts up to 6 minutes 23 seconds.
Both dates, with the three lunar eclipses of 2027, are listed in the eclipse calendar 2027 guide. Kosmo does not calculate eclipse visibility or local times for your birthplace or location; use NASA’s maps for that.
How to watch safely
- Never look at the Sun through ordinary sunglasses, however dark they are.
- During partial and annular phases, look only through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer that meets the ISO 12312-2 standard, the whole time. Check them first and throw them away if they are scratched or torn.
- Never look through a camera, binoculars or a telescope while wearing eclipse glasses. Optics need their own proper solar filter fitted on the front.
- Only during the brief complete total phase, inside the path of totality, is it safe to look without protection. Put your glasses back on as soon as any bright Sun reappears.
- No glasses? A simple pinhole projector lets you watch the Sun’s image indirectly, with your back to the Sun.
What a solar eclipse means in astrology
This part is optional symbolism, not science. Astrologers read a solar eclipse as an amplified new Moon and traditionally link it with beginnings and turning points in the area of the chart where it falls. The 6 February 2027 eclipse falls at about 18 degrees Aquarius and the 2 August 2027 eclipse at about 10 degrees Leo. The astronomy on this page comes from NASA; NASA does not endorse astrological meanings, and an eclipse does not cause events in anyone’s life. If you enjoy the tradition, use it as a prompt to reflect on what you want to start.
Common questions
Can everyone see a solar eclipse?
No. Only places under the Moon’s shadow see anything, and most of them see a partial eclipse. Large parts of the world see nothing at all from a given solar eclipse.
How long does totality last?
From a few seconds to about seven and a half minutes, depending on the eclipse and on where you are in the path. In 2027, the longest totality is 6 minutes 23 seconds.
Is it safe to be outside during a solar eclipse?
Yes. The danger is looking at the Sun without proper protection, not the eclipse itself. If you spend a long time outdoors, protect your skin from the sunshine as on any bright day.
Continue with the lunar eclipse guide to see how Earth’s shadow works on the Moon, or with the new Moon manifestation guide if you like to mark new Moons with an intention.