
Partial solar eclipse to be visible in Senegal on August 12, 2026
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across Senegal, including Dakar, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The Senegalese Space Studies Agency ASES and the Senegalese School of Astronomy Studies SASS have released precise timings and safety guidelines for observation. The eclipse will begin at 6:20 PM GMT, with approximately 20% of the sun obscured by 6:40 PM. The maximum obscuration, between 36% and 37% of the solar disk, is expected at 7:12 PM GMT. The event will conclude at 7:34 PM GMT, lasting a total of one hour and fourteen minutes. The sun will be low on the western horizon, about four degrees high, making locations with clear western views, such as beaches and open spaces, ideal for observation. Experts warn against direct viewing without proper protection due to the risk of severe eye damage. Standard sunglasses are insufficient; specialized eclipse glasses conforming to ISO 12312-2 are recommended for direct observation. Indirect viewing methods, such as pinhole projection, are also safe alternatives. The eclipse will occur near sunset, providing a twilight backdrop for observers.



