Alcalá la Real
37.461°, -3.923° · 918 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Partial eclipse · 96% obscuration
Marginal: only 1.33° between the Sun and the local skyline at peak.
60/100Good
96%
Partial eclipse · 96% obscuration
See the eclipse from Alcalá la Real minute by minute
Compare locations, save your plan and enable cloud alerts.
Photo: Michelangelo-36 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Alcalá la Real
Alcalá la Real is a municipality located in the southeast of Jaén province, in Andalusia, at 918 meters above sea level. With approximately 22,800 inhabitants, it sits on the foothills of the Sierra Sur de Jaén, in a transitional zone between the Jaén plain and the Baetic mountain ranges. The landscape is dominated by the Mota Fortress, a medieval fortification that crowns the hill overlooking the town and stands as the city's most recognizable symbol.
For this eclipse
The eclipse of August 12, 2026, will reach Alcalá la Real as a partial eclipse with the Sun just 5.9° above the western horizon, when local time reads 20:36. The solar azimuth of 284° points toward the west-northwest, so any obstruction in that direction—buildings, hills, or trees—could hide the Sun precisely at maximum eclipse. The clearance above the topographic horizon is merely 1.1°, meaning observation requires a location with an unobstructed view toward the west.
The weather in August
August in Alcalá la Real is characterized by the dryness typical of inland Andalusia at mid-elevation. The risk of thunderstorms is low according to AEMET records for the 1991-2020 period, reducing the likelihood that vertically developing clouds will interfere with observation during the afternoon hours. The location in the Sierra Sur de Jaén favors clearer skies than coastal areas during summer afternoons.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Alcalá la Real occurred on May 12, 1706, more than three centuries ago; its totality lasted just under three minutes. Since then, neither a total nor an annular eclipse has covered this corner of the Jaén Sierra Sur. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027, and 2028, one must wait until July 13, 2075, to witness an annular eclipse, and until June 20, 2327, for the shadow of totality to cross these hills again.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At maximum eclipse, the Sun will stand 5.9° above the horizon, a very low height equivalent to just over ten solar diameters above the horizon line. The azimuth of 284° places it to the west-northwest, slightly north of due west. For observers from the Mota Fortress or from the surrounding hills, it is advisable to identify beforehand which terrain profile or urban silhouette might interrupt that low westward view.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Alcalá la Real
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:41 UTC | 19:41 | +16.6° | 276.2° |
| Maximum | 18:36 UTC | 20:36 | +5.9° | 284.2° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:28 UTC | 21:28 | -3.3° | 292.0° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.0°)
Azimuth at C4
292.0° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.32°
Terrain horizon
4.60°
Sun−terrain margin
+1.33°
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 Alcalá la Real
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Pandera | 1870.03 m | 22.9 km | 35° NE |
| Peña del Altar | 1818 m | 23.3 km | 37° NE |
| Cerrillo Caldera | 1773 m | 22.4 km | 31° NNE |
| Cerro de la Horca | 1766 m | 21.5 km | 42° NE |
| Los Morales | 1722 m | 21.1 km | 48° NE |
| Peñón de Alacún | 1704 m | 22.4 km | 44° NE |
| El Morrón | 1672 m | 20.2 km | 39° NE |
| Matarratas | 1667 m | 22.3 km | 29° NNE |
Weather in Alcalá la Real in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
3%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Alcalá la Real
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 years ago
- Next total eclipseJune 20, 2327
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Alcalá la Real
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Alcalá la Real?
Yes, but marginally: with 96% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Alcalá la Real is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Alcalá la Real?
Maximum occurs at 20:36 local time (18:36 UTC) in Alcalá la Real.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Alcalá la Real?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Alcalá la Real.
Is Alcalá la Real a good place to watch the eclipse?
Alcalá la Real is a good option (score 60/100): all eclipse phases are visible, though not the regional optimum.
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 Andalusia →Where to stay in Alcalá la Real
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
Search lodging on Booking →Affiliate link · no extra cost to you
Embed this eclipse on your site
Generate the code to embed the eclipse widget on your hotel, town hall or blog website.
<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=37.4614&lon=-3.9230&size=standard&theme=dark&locale=en" width="320" height="340" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Eclipse 2026"></iframe>Share it to help others find out if they'll see the eclipse