Algeria to witness rare partial solar eclipse on August 12, followed by Perseid meteor shower

The solar disk occultation rate will exceed 90% in most wilayas, reaching up to 98.6% in some regions, coinciding with sunset. The phenomenon will begin in the late afternoon, reaching its maximum a few minutes before sunset. In Algiers, the eclipse will start at 6:42:37 PM local time and peak at 7:35:51 PM, when 98.6% of the sun's disk will be obscured.

Djanet and In Guezzam are the only exceptions where the eclipse will not be visible. Globally, the eclipse will be total across a band including Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and the Balearic Islands. The Research Center in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics CRAAG warns against looking directly at the sun without proper protection, as solar radiation can cause severe and irreversible retinal damage.

Observers must use special eclipse glasses conforming to ISO 12312-2 standards or specific solar filters for telescopes or binoculars. Ordinary sunglasses, X-rays, CDs, photographic film, smoked glass, or improvised devices are not sufficient protection. Children require particular vigilance.

Indirect observation via projection, such as with a pinhole device, is also a safe method. Following the eclipse, the Perseid meteor shower will peak between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM GMT on Thursday, August 13. This year's New Moon, coinciding with the solar eclipse, will enhance meteor ob