More than 90% of the Sun will disappear from view in parts of Morocco on Wednesday as a deep partial eclipse crosses the country, setting the stage for a much rarer total solar eclipse that will sweep northern Morocco on Aug. 2, 2027.
The Aug. 12 eclipse will be total across parts of Spain, while Morocco will remain outside the narrow path of totality and experience a partial eclipse instead.
Astrophysicist Youssef Moulane told Hespress English that the difference comes down to the precise alignment and movement of the Moon, Earth and Sun.
“We cannot have the total everywhere around the world,” Moulane said. “Only one part can fall inside the Moon’s shadow at a given time.”
The Moon’s darkest shadow creates a relatively narrow path across Earth’s surface, while areas outside it see only part of the Sun covered.
In Tangier, the Moon will cover about 92% of the Sun at the eclipse’s peak, making it the country’s best-placed major city for the event. Casablanca will see about 87% coverage, while Rabat will see about 88%.
Moulane said the partial eclipse should not be expected to produce the dramatic temperature changes associated with totality.
The timing could nevertheless make the event visually striking. The eclipse begins in Morocco from around 6:44 p.m., depending on location, and reaches its maximum around 7:40 p.m. in Tangier and 7:43 p.m. in Casablanca.
Moulane said the eclipse occurs close to sunset and that does not make the Sun safe to watch directly.
“it’s not even safe at 99% because the remaining portion of the Sun is still bright enough to cause serious eye damage.” Moulane said.
NASA likewise warns that during a partial eclipse, viewers must use proper solar eye protection because the Sun’s bright surface remains visible.
Only during the brief period of totality, when the Moon completely covers the Sun, can people in the path of totality look directly at it without eye protection.
Moulane said one of the biggest misconceptions he wants Moroccans to avoid is confusing eclipse glasses with ordinary sunglasses.
For Moroccans disappointed at missing totality this year, Morocco will be inside the path of a total solar eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027.
NASA lists Morocco among the countries where totality will be visible, along with parts of southern Europe and North Africa.
Moulane said the 2027 eclipse will cross northern Morocco, from Tangier toward Saidia and into the eastern part of the country.
Moulane said that a team of Moroccans are currently in Palencia, Spain, to observe this year’s total solar eclipse and train Moroccan researchers for next year’s eclipse in Morocco, as part of a joint project between UM6P and the Canary Islands Institute of Research.
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