Rabat – While Moroccans won’t be able to witness the much anticipated August 21 full solar eclipse, they will still be able to feast their eyes on a partial solar eclipse today from 7:48 to 9:12 p.m.
The partial solar eclipse will be most visible in the west-northwest, when the sun will be close to the horizon and the moon will touch its edges.
In Rabat and Casablanca, the eclipse will start at around 7:48 p.m., reaching its peak at around 8:04 p.m. when the moon is closest to the center of the sun. Since at this point, the sun will be near to the horizon, the best way to witness the event is to go to a high or an unobstructed area, which provide clear sight to west-northwest, and end around 9 p.m., indicated the website vercalendario.
In Casablanca, the partial eclipse will also begin at 7:48 pm, peak at 8:09 p.m. and dwindle until it ends at 9:12 p.m., noted the website Timeanddate.
Marrakech’s astronomy fanatics will spot the beginning of the eclipse at 7:50 p.m., which will reach its maximum at 8:08 p.m. and end at 9:16 p.m., lasting a duration of 1 hour and 26 minutes, said Timeanddate.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but the moon only partially covers the sun’s disk.
Spectators are advised not to look directly at the partial eclipse without special glasses or filters, as their vision will most likely be blurred.
The August 21 solar eclipse has become known as the “Great American Eclipse,” as the US will be the only country able to see the total eclipse for the first time in 99 years, where the moon will pass directly in front of the sun.
