Solar eclipse over Morocco’s Sahara: Laayoune residents witness rare celestial event

Solar eclipse in Laayoune

VideoResidents of Laayoune joined people in several other Moroccan cities in observing a solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, Aug. 12. Astronomy enthusiasts gathered at Al Mechouar Al Saïd Square in front of the Laayoune Conference Center for an event organized by the Sahara Astronomy Association in Laayoune.

On 13/08/2026 at 12h30

The association organized the volunteer field event to give residents and visitors an opportunity to observe the exceptional natural phenomenon, which appeared differently from one city to another.

During the event, association president Ahmed Ben Jdi said the eclipse observed in Laayoune was partial. He also noted that the association had provided professional protective glasses to safeguard viewers’ eyesight, particularly when the necessary safety conditions were not in place.

Residents who spoke to Le360 at Al Mechouar Al Saïd Square expressed their delight at following the different stages of the phenomenon. They praised the visual spectacle of the Moon passing in front of the Sun during the afternoon, accompanied by rare and striking shifts in color.

Over a period of no more than an hour and a half, those gathered watched the two celestial disks gradually overlap. The Moon appeared to be roughly the same size as the Sun in the Moroccan Sahara sky, despite being 400 times smaller in actual size.

By Hamdi Yara
On 13/08/2026 at 12h30