Morocco will witness a spectacular solar eclipse on Wednesday, with the Moon expected to cover up to 93% of the Sun in the country's northern regions, according to the Moroccan state news agency MAP.
The astronomical event will be a total solar eclipse globally, but it will appear as a partial eclipse from Morocco because the Kingdom lies outside the path of totality, Zouhair Benkhaldoun, professor at Cadi Ayyad University and director of the Oukaïmeden Astronomical Observatory, told MAP.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth align in such a way that the Moon completely blocks the Sun from view in certain parts of the Earth.
The path of totality on Wednesday will cross areas including the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, parts of Portugal and Spain before extending over the Mediterranean, Benkhaldoun said.
In Morocco, the degree of solar coverage will vary considerably by location. Nador will record the highest level, with around 92.9% of the Sun obscured, followed by Tangier, Tetouan and Al Hoceima, where coverage will be about 92%.
The eclipse will cover approximately 89.5% in Fez, 88% in Rabat, 87% in Casablanca, 83% in Marrakech, 79% in Agadir, 70% in Laayoune and 60% in Dakhla, according to the astronomer cited by MAP.
The phenomenon is expected to begin in Morocco between 6:44 p.m. and 7:06 p.m., depending on the location. Maximum coverage will occur between approximately 7:40 p.m. and 8 p.m., while the eclipse will end between around 7:58 p.m. and 8:39 p.m.
Benkhaldoun explained that the distinction between total and partial eclipses is determined by the Moon's shadow. Areas falling within the central umbra experience totality, while locations within the surrounding penumbra see only a partial eclipse.
Morocco will be situated within the penumbral region during Wednesday's event.
The astronomer said there is no particular location in Morocco that offers a major advantage for observing the eclipse, provided there is a clear view toward the western horizon.
He nevertheless issued a strong warning about eye safety, stressing that people should never look directly at the Sun during the eclipse because doing so can cause irreversible eye damage.
Specially designed solar eclipse glasses should be used for direct observation, Benkhaldoun said, noting that such glasses are available through several associations in Morocco.
The August 12 eclipse is part of a series of major astronomical events visible from different parts of the world. Morocco is also expected to attract significant interest during the total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027, whose path of totality will pass through parts of northern Morocco.
