Alcoy
38.705°, -0.474° · 554 m a.s.l.
Hidden by terrain
Partial eclipse · 99.6% obscuration
Local terrain rises 6.72° above the Sun at peak.
40/100Marginal
99.6%
Partial eclipse · 99.6% obscuration
See the eclipse from Alcoy minute by minute
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Photo: Espencat · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Alcoy
Alcoy is a municipality in the province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, located in the mountainous interior at 554 metres above sea level. With just over 61,500 inhabitants, the city occupies a spot nestled between the sierras of Carrascal, Mariola and Menejador, where the rivers Molinar, Barxell and Riquer converge. Its altitude and the rugged topography of the surrounding area clearly distinguish it from the coastal municipalities of the same province.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026 Alcoy will experience a partial solar eclipse that will reach its maximum at 20:33. However, the topographic horizon in that direction rises several degrees above the Sun's actual altitude, meaning the star will be hidden behind the surrounding relief before the eclipse reaches its peak intensity. To observe the phenomenon, it is advisable to move to a location with a clear horizon towards the west-northwest.
The weather in August
According to AEMET data (period 1991–2020) for August in Alcoy, the risk of thunderstorms is low. The reference weather station does not have complete records of temperature or precipitation for this period, so it is not possible to provide average values. In general, the interior of Alicante province at this altitude tends to have cooler afternoons than the coast, with relatively stable skies during the summer month.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Alcoy occurred on 12 May 1706, 320 years ago, with totality lasting just over three and a half minutes. More recently, on 3 October 2005 the city was able to observe an annular eclipse with an obscuration of 90.4% and an annular phase of nearly four minutes. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next annular eclipse will not occur until 13 July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum, the Sun will be just 4.2 degrees above the geometric horizon, with an azimuth of 286 degrees, which corresponds to a west-northwest direction. This very low position is precisely why the surrounding mountainous relief blocks the view of the eclipse from the urban core; any terrain elevation between the observer and that direction will be enough to hide the Sun.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Alcoy
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:39 UTC | 19:39 | +14.5° | 277.6° |
| Maximum | 18:34 UTC | 20:34 | +4.2° | 285.7° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:25 UTC | 21:25 | -4.7° | 293.8° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.8°)
Azimuth at C4
293.8° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.74°
Terrain horizon
10.94°
Sun−terrain margin
-6.72°
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 Alcoy
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aitana | 1559.4 m | 19.1 km | 109° ESE |
| Aitana Oriental | 1549 m | 19.6 km | 108° ESE |
| Penya Alta | 1504 m | 20.7 km | 107° ESE |
| Moleta d’Aitana | 1466 m | 16.0 km | 110° ESE |
| Alt de Tagarina | 1434 m | 21.2 km | 107° ESE |
| Montcabrer | 1390 m | 5.9 km | 349° NNW |
| Pla de la Casa | 1385 m | 17.4 km | 86° E |
| la Mallada del Llop | 1361 m | 20.1 km | 87° E |
Weather in Alcoy in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
19%
Median cloud cover
35%
P75 — cloudier days
51%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Alcoy
- Last total eclipseMay 12, 1706320 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 Alcoy
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Alcoy?
Geometrically yes (99.6% obscuration) but the local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends from Alcoy.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Alcoy?
Maximum occurs at 20:34 local time (18:34 UTC) in Alcoy.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Alcoy?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Alcoy.
Is Alcoy a good place to watch the eclipse?
Alcoy is not the best choice: local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends. Consider a nearby viewpoint with a clear horizon.
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 Valencian Community →Embed this eclipse on your site
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