Partial solar eclipse observed across North and West Africa
France 24 International reports on the partial phase of the 12 August 2026 eclipse visible across the African continent.
Millions of people across parts of North and West Africa witnessed a partial solar eclipse, described by France 24 International as a rare celestial event. The observation occurred during the evening of 12 August 2026, coinciding with the total solar eclipse that swept across Iceland and Spain.
The partial phase of the eclipse was visible across a broader geographic area than the path of totality. While the total eclipse was restricted to specific corridors in Europe, observers in parts of Northwest Africa, along with most of Western Europe, most of Canada, and parts of the northern United States, witnessed the moon partially obscuring the sun.
This occurrence marks the first total solar eclipse visible in Europe since 2006. The 2026 event drew significant public attention, with crowds gathering to observe the phenomenon. In Spain, the eclipse represented the first such event in the region in 27 years, prompting discussions regarding regional infrastructure capacity and logistical challenges posed by surges in tourism.
France 24 International published video coverage of the total solar eclipse in Spain earlier in the evening, followed by reports on the partial eclipse seen from North and West Africa. The network highlighted the widespread nature of the partial observation, noting that millions lifted their eyes skywards for the event.
The partial eclipse observed in Africa was distinct from the total event experienced in Europe. While totality plunged parts of Iceland and Spain into darkness, the African regions experienced only the partial phase of the celestial alignment. The exact geographic boundaries of the parts of Africa where the eclipse was visible were not detailed in the source reports.
The event has been documented by international media outlets, with France 24 International serving as a primary source for the coverage. The network’s reporting on the African observation was published on 12 August 2026, shortly after the total eclipse in Europe.
