What the 2027 eclipse looks like in Mecca
The Mecca reference coordinate lies inside the 2027 path of totality. Eclipse Wayfinder includes it for astronomical completeness and exact-coordinate planning, not as a universal travel recommendation.
Mecca is geographically important within the Saudi section of the path and has clear search interest. It also illustrates why astronomy and real-world access must stay separate.
Mecca eclipse times and circumstances
The table below uses the published reference coordinate, not a city-wide average. Times are shown in UTC so the underlying calculation stays unambiguous. Convert the UTC times to the observing location’s local timezone before the event; the underlying astronomical calculation stays the same.
| Eclipse type | total |
|---|---|
| Obscuration at maximum | 100.0% |
| Partial eclipse begins | 09:02:00 UTC |
| Totality begins | 10:24:02 UTC |
| Maximum eclipse | 10:26:38 UTC |
| Totality ends | 10:29:13 UTC |
| Partial eclipse ends | 11:44:40 UTC |
| Totality duration | 5m 11s |
| Sun altitude at maximum | 75.5° |
| Sun azimuth at maximum | 258.1° |
| Distance from modelled centerline | 72.5 km |
Historical August climate around Mecca
Historical climate helps compare destinations before a useful eclipse-day forecast exists. Eclipse Wayfinder uses the same August 2001–2025 NASA POWER climatology period for every published location, so the comparison window stays consistent.
Mecca historical climate snapshot
The solar clarity proxy compares all-sky surface solar energy with the modeled clear-sky value for the same NASA POWER grid. It is a long-term planning indicator, not the probability of a cloud-free eclipse.
| Solar clarity proxy | 95.8% |
|---|---|
| All-sky solar energy | 6.82 kWh/m²/day |
| Clear-sky solar energy | 7.12 kWh/m²/day |
| August mean temperature | 34.2°C |
| August mean relative humidity | 31% |
Mecca climate planning scores
NASA POWER August 2001–2025. Scores are planning proxies, not an eclipse-day forecast.
Should you stay in Mecca or move?
A coordinate can have excellent eclipse geometry while being unsuitable or inaccessible for a particular traveller. Current entry and access rules must always come from official sources.
Use this page for eclipse timing and geometry. If you are considering travel, verify all eligibility and access requirements independently before making plans.
The reference coordinate is about 72.5 km from the modelled centerline. Path depth matters because totality duration generally grows as you move away from an edge and toward the center, although the best real-world site can still depend on weather and access.
What to compare before choosing an observing site
For Mecca, useful comparison targets include Jeddah, Luxor, Sfax. Compare the exact eclipse duration, Sun altitude, path margin, structural access, lodging depth and historical climate when available. Keep live road conditions, border rules and weather forecasts separate because they can change.
- Totality duration: how long the Sun is completely covered at the exact coordinate.
- Path margin: how far the location sits from the approximate edge of totality.
- Sun geometry: altitude and azimuth at maximum eclipse, useful for local horizon planning.
- Relocation flexibility: whether you can move if a later cloud forecast favors another part of the path.
- Local obstructions: buildings, terrain and trees are site-level issues and are not captured by the city reference coordinate.
How accurate are these Mecca eclipse calculations?
Eclipse Wayfinder calculates local circumstances with Astronomy Engine and validates the event geometry against NASA eclipse references. The city coordinate is visible because a single “Mecca time” can hide meaningful differences across a metropolitan area. Near the path edge, lunar mountains can also shift the true totality limit by kilometres, so the site does not recommend observing directly on a mathematical boundary.
Read the calculation methodology and data sources for the model, validation and climate rules.
Common planning questions
Is Mecca in totality in 2027?
Yes at the Mecca reference coordinate.
Does Eclipse Wayfinder say who may travel to Mecca?
No. The site does not determine eligibility or access. Check current official rules.
Can I calculate a different coordinate nearby?
Yes. Change the latitude and longitude in Eclipse Finder.
How does Mecca compare with Jeddah?
Use the comparator for astronomy and available practical baselines, while checking current access requirements separately.
Authoritative planning sources
Use Eclipse Wayfinder for location comparison, then check the underlying references. NASA publishes the August 2, 2027 path data, while the American Astronomical Society maintains practical eclipse eye-safety guidance.