Total Solar Eclipse by the Sea: Gibraltar
A Front-Row View of a Rare Astronomical Event
Join fellow Techers in Gibraltar to observe the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, the longest to cross land in decades. From this carefully selected location along the path of totality, experience over four minutes of darkness with favorable weather conditions, coastal cooling, and unobstructed horizons optimized for scientific observation.
Led by veteran eclipse expert Dr. Douglas Duncan, this small-group program combines structured talks, guided eclipse viewing, and discussion of solar physics, celestial mechanics, and observational techniques. Participants will observe the eclipse from the Sunborn Gibraltar, a permanently docked super-yacht hotel offering a stable viewing platform, along with curated cultural excursions in southern Spain and Gibraltar.
Stay Connected
Accurate contact information ensures invitations reach the full Caltech community. Alumni and former postdocs in Europe are encouraged to share this event or provide updated contact details at info@alumni.caltech.edu.
Featured Guests
Dr. Douglas Duncan (BS ’73)
Emeritus faculty member in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences of the University of Colorado
Dr. Douglas Duncan is an astronomer at the University of Colorado and former director of the Fiske Planetarium. He was part of the team that first identified sunspot cycles on other stars and later worked on the Hubble Space Telescope.
A member of The Explorer’s Club, he has traveled to the North Pole and provided science commentary for outlets such as Chicago Public Radio, the History Channel, and BBC Horizon. An award-winning educator, he has led eclipse-viewing trips worldwide.