A large crowd assembled at a beach in the northern Algerian town of Tenes on Wednesday night to observe a partial solar eclipse in which the moon blocked nearly 98 per cent of the sun from view in that region.
Crowds gather in Algeria to watch near-total solar eclipse
A large crowd assembled at a beach in the northern Algerian town of Tenes on Wednesday night to observe a partial solar eclipse in which the moon blocked nearly 98 per cent of the sun from view in that region.
Physicist and astronomy association member Chaima Amin Khouja said Algeria was within a partial eclipse zone, but Tenes lay close to the path of totality. 'This means that we will be able to see the eclipse at almost 98 per cent totality. Therefore, it will not simply be partial, but almost total,' she said.
Attendees used special viewing glasses to observe the sun reduced to a thin crescent. Shopkeeper Ibrahim Boussemaha described it as his first direct experience of the astronomical event. 'It's a truly striking and thrilling experience. It's a first for me,' he said. Teacher Rabiaa Rym said she was glad authorities had supplied the glasses needed to view the eclipse.
In Zeralda, located just outside the capital Algiers, the Ministry of Youth organised viewing equipment for more than 2,000 children, including members of astronomy clubs. The event was described as part of efforts to strengthen the country's scientific and technological skills, particularly among young people.
According to the source, people in Algeria will be able to observe a total solar eclipse in August of next year, which will plunge parts of the country into complete darkness for over five minutes.
- The source does not state the total number of people who gathered at the Tenes beach.
- The source does not identify the astronomy association to which Khouja belongs.
- The source does not specify which authorities supplied the viewing glasses mentioned by Rym.
- The source does not provide the exact date in August of next year when the total solar eclipse is expected.
- The source contains apparent typographical errors: 'which be able' and 'which with plunge' appear to be garbled phrases; the intended meaning has been interpreted from context but the source text may be corrupted at those points.
Read the original at Africanews