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Tunisia to witness rare partial solar eclipse at sunset in August 2026
via Business News2 min read
Tunisians will observe a rare partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. As the sun sets, nearly 60% of its disk will be obscured by the moon, creating a unique spectacle. The Tunis Science City is organizing a scientific event at Sidi Mechreg, Sejnane delegation, Bizerte governorate, a location known for its clear view of the Mediterranean, to allow the public to experience the event. This partial eclipse is part of a total solar eclipse whose path will cross Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and parts of the Mediterranean basin. In Tunisia, up to 59.3% of the sun's apparent surface will be occulted. The phenomenon will begin at 6:40 PM, with the most anticipated moment occurring at 7:11 PM, just minutes before sunset, when almost 60% of the solar disk will be hidden. The sun will then disappear below the horizon around 7:19 PM, still partially eclipsed, making it a relatively infrequent "eclipse below the horizon." Sidi Mechreg was chosen for its exceptional western horizon. The public can observe the eclipse between 6:30 PM and 7:20 PM using telescopes equipped with specialized solar filters. Following the observation, a conference from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM will cover eclipse mechanisms, observation conditions in Tunisia, and future astronomical events. From 8:00 PM, participants can observe the night sky, including Venus, deep-sky objects, and summer constellations. The Tunis Science City emphasizes that direct observation of the sun can cause severe and irreversible ret
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
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