This evening, Morocco will witness one of the most significant partial solar eclipses of the century, with the sun's disk obscured by as much as 92.9% in Nador, 88% in Rabat, and 60% in Dakhla, hovering close to the western horizon. Observers will need to gaze towards the west as the sun sets, but caution is paramount: never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. On August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the Northern Hemisphere, but Morocco, located outside the path of totality, will experience a remarkable partial eclipse, with obscuration rates reaching nearly 93% in the northern provinces.

According to Zouhair Benkhaldoun, a professor at Cadi Ayyad University and director of the Oukaïmeden Astronomical Observatory, "August 12 will herald a spectacular astronomical event consisting of a total solar eclipse." An eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth align perfectly, allowing the lunar disk to completely cover the solar disk from specific regions along the path of totality. This path will traverse the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the extreme northwest of Portugal, and particularly Spain, before concluding above the Mediterranean Sea. For Morocco, the eclipse will be partial, with obscuration rates varying from nearly 93% in the north to 60% in Dakhla.

Nador: The Best Viewpoint

Nador is set to be the most favored city in Morocco, with approximately 92.9% of the sun obscured. Following closely are Tangier, Tetouan, and Al Hoceïma, each experiencing around 92% obscuration. Further south, the rates will be 89.5% in Fes, 88% in Rabat, 87% in Casablanca, 83% in Marrakech, 79% in Agadir, 70% in Laâyoune, and 60% in Dakhla. The phenomenon will commence between 18:44 and 19:06 depending on the location, peak between 19:40 and 20:00, and conclude between 19:58 and 20:39 local time. Specifically, Tangier will begin observing the event around 18:44, reaching its peak at approximately 19:40. Fes and Rabat will start around 18:47, Casablanca at 18:48, Marrakech at 18:52, and Agadir at 18:54.

It's worth noting that no specific Moroccan site is particularly privileged for this event, as Professor Benkhaldoun emphasizes, "It is essential that the western horizon is clear." This caution is significant because the sun will be very low at the maximum point, and will set—around 20:20 in Casablanca—before the geometric end of the phenomenon. Even a simple building, a hill, or a band of clouds on the horizon can obscure the view.

Understanding the Eclipse: Safety First

A common misconception during partial eclipses is that obscuration equates to darkness. Even when reduced to a small fraction of its surface, the sun remains dazzlingly bright. Although ambient light will diminish and take on an unusual metallic hue, and shadows will sharpen, it will not be pitch dark during the day. This phenomenon is reserved for the few Spanish cities located in the path of the central shadow, where totality will last less than two minutes. Instead, viewers in Morocco will see the dark disk of the moon gradually bite into the sun until only a thin crescent remains, particularly pronounced in the north and the eastern regions, coinciding with the moment when the sun dips toward the sea.

It is crucial to emphasize the importance of eye safety during this event. "Never observe the phenomenon directly," warns the director of Oukaïmeden, who cautions against the risk of irreversible eye damage. This is critical for partial eclipses, as Morocco will not experience any moment where the sun is entirely obscured. Therefore, there is no window during which one can remove protective eyewear; it must be worn from beginning to end. Three essential rules for safe observation are as follows:

  • Use eclipse glasses certified to the international standard ISO 12312-2, available from various astronomical associations in Morocco. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, as well as smoked lenses, x-rays, or CDs do not provide adequate protection.
  • Avoid any optical instruments without a dedicated solar filter: smartphones, cameras, binoculars, or telescopes can concentrate radiation and potentially burn the retina in a fraction of a second, damaging the equipment in the process.
  • Indirect observation, which is free and safe: create a small hole in a piece of cardboard and project the image of the sun onto a white sheet. Tree foliage can perform this task naturally, casting dozens of luminous crescents on the ground.

The setting sun poses an additional trap: because it is less blinding, it gives the misleading illusion that one can gaze at it without harm. However, infrared and ultraviolet radiation do not diminish as the sun sets.

This Wednesday's event serves as a preview for a more significant occurrence. On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will directly traverse northern Morocco. Dubbed the "Great North African Eclipse," it will be the longest observable eclipse from Earth between 1991 and 2114, with a path of totality nearly 275 kilometers wide, encompassing Tangier, Tetouan, and parts of the north, before moving into Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula. In the strait, darkness is expected to envelop the area for nearly five minutes during the morning.

Until then, all eyes are on tonight. There will be about thirty minutes, around 19:40-19:50, to witness the sun setting as a crescent, provided that observers keep their eyes protected.

As reported by lnt.ma.