Luxor:The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics is set to commence preparations on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for the total solar eclipse anticipated on August 2, 2027. This eclipse, visible in Luxor, will last up to six minutes and 23 seconds, marking the longest total solar eclipse until the year 2114.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the Institute will participate in a conference for astronomers at the Egypt Public Library in Luxor on Saturday at 6 p.m. During this event, preparations for this significant global astronomical occurrence will be outlined.

Dr. Bassem Nabawi, President of the Institute, has announced that the conference will include introductory lectures by Dr. Mohamed El-Shahed, who leads the institute's Solar and Space Research Department. His lecture, 'Light, Darkness and Cosmic Phenomena Across Civilizations and the Evolution of Astronomy A Journey into the Realms of Lunar and Solar Eclipses,' will delve into the scientific and historical aspects of solar eclipses.

Following the lectures, a coordination meeting will be held with the institute's president, the 2027 eclipse organizing committee, led by Dr. Hatem Ouda, and members Dr. Mohamed El-Shahed, Dr. Hesham Eid, and Dr. Sayed Eissaoui, along with representatives from archaeological authorities and the tourist guides' association. This meeting aims to discuss both scientific and organizational preparations.

Additionally, the Institute's President and the committee will engage with Luxor officials to select an appropriate observation site and address logistical arrangements for the event. These preparations are crucial to accommodate the expected influx of international scientific and tourist delegations.