Albacete
38.994°, -1.856° · 695 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 99% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 5.39° at peak.
75/100Very good
99%
Partial eclipse · 99% obscuration
See the eclipse from Albacete minute by minute
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Photo: Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Albacete
Albacete is the capital of its namesake province in Castilla-La Mancha, situated on the southeastern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula at 695 meters elevation. With nearly 173,000 inhabitants, it serves as the most important economic and service hub in the eastern Manchego region. Located on a plain surrounded by wide horizons, the city enjoys a continental climate with hot, dry summers, which favors outdoor astronomical observations during the summer months.
For this eclipse
On August 12, 2026, Albacete will lie outside the path of totality, so the eclipse will be experienced as partial. Maximum eclipse occurs at 20:33 h, with the Moon covering just over half of the Sun's disk. The Sun will be barely 5.3° above the geometric horizon, though the margin above the actual topographic horizon is 5.4°, sufficient for the phenomenon to be visible from clear areas. It is recommended to choose an elevated location with a clear western horizon.
The weather in August
August in Albacete is warm and dry according to AEMET records from the 1991–2020 period. The average monthly temperature is around 25.9 °C, with highs typically reaching 33.7 °C and lows of 18.2 °C. The average monthly precipitation is 13.4 mm, concentrated mainly in isolated thunderstorm episodes: the risk of thunderstorms in August is considered moderate. Summer afternoons can bring cumulonimbus clouds with scattered thunderstorms, so it is advisable to follow the forecast in the days leading up to the eclipse.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Albacete occurred on May 28, 1900, 126 years ago, with totality lasting barely one minute. More recent is the annular eclipse of October 3, 2005, which darkened 90.4% of the Sun with an annular phase lasting nearly three minutes. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, the next annular eclipse visible from the city will not occur until July 13, 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:33 h, the Sun will be positioned in the west-northwest of the sky, with an azimuth of 285°. Its height above the horizon will be just 5.3°, equivalent roughly to the width of a hand at arm's length measured from the horizon line. Orienting toward the northwest and seeking a panorama free of obstacles—buildings, trees, or hills—will be crucial for following the phenomenon in its final moments.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Albacete
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +15.7° | 276.6° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +5.3° | 284.9° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:25 UTC | 21:25 | -3.7° | 293.0° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.0°)
Azimuth at C4
293.0° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.68°
Terrain horizon
-0.07°
Sun−terrain margin
+5.39°
What the contact points (C1-C4) mean
A solar eclipse is described by four key moments, the contact points between the discs of the Sun and the Moon:
- C1First contact: the Moon touches the edge of the Sun and the partial eclipse begins.
- C2Second contact: the Moon fully covers the Sun and totality begins.
- C3Third contact: the Sun reappears and totality ends.
- C4Fourth contact: the Moon leaves the Sun's disc and the eclipse ends.
Where the eclipse is only partial, the Moon never fully covers the Sun: only C1 and C4 occur, with no totality in between.
Peaks near Albacete
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morra Encantada | 713 m | 20.0 km | 343° NNW |
Weather in Albacete in August
Avg. temp.
25.9°C
Max / min
33.7° / 18.2°
Precipitation
13.4 mm
Storm risk
Medium
Station ALBACETE, 1 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
3%
P75 — cloudier days
26%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Albacete
- Last total eclipseMay 28, 1900126 years ago
- Last annular eclipseOctober 3, 200521 years ago
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Albacete
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Albacete?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 99% covered at maximum from Albacete.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Albacete?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Albacete.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Albacete?
Look WNW (azimuth 285°); the Sun will be 5° above the horizon at maximum from Albacete.
Is Albacete a good place to watch the eclipse?
Yes, Albacete is an excellent choice (score 75/100): favorable geometry, clear horizon, and good August climatology.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse?
Yes, you need ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during every partial phase. Regular sunglasses do NOT protect. Glasses can only be removed during the totality phase (when the Sun is fully covered); never during annular or partial eclipses. Pages flagged "visible" assume a clear horizon, not a viewing recommendation.
Nearby cities
All cities in Castilla-La Mancha →Where to stay in Albacete
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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