Arcos de la Frontera
36.751°, -5.811° · 144 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 5.85° at peak.
65/100Good
94%
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
See the eclipse from Arcos de la Frontera minute by minute
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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Arcos de la Frontera
Arcos de la Frontera is a municipality in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia, with just over 31,000 inhabitants. It sits at 144 metres above sea level in the interior of the province, at the southwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Its elevated position relative to the surrounding plains gives it a broad perspective over the Cádiz countryside landscape. Arcos belongs to the group of medium-sized cities in inland Andalusia, far from both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Arcos de la Frontera will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum will occur at 20:38 local time, with the Sun at just 6.9 degrees altitude above the horizon. The eclipse will be visible—the Sun rises above the horizon by a margin of 6.2 degrees—but its low position demands an observation point with the western-northwestern horizon completely clear. From this location there will be neither totality nor annularity: the eclipse is strictly partial.
The weather in August
August in Arcos de la Frontera shows, according to AEMET historical data from 1991–2020, low storm risk. The atmospheric stability of inland Cádiz in summer reduces the likelihood of convective clouds obscuring the sky during the eclipse. This factor takes special relevance given that maximum will occur at 20:38, when the Sun is already very close to the horizon and any cloud in the western-northwestern direction could be decisive for the eclipse's visibility.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Arcos de la Frontera took place on 22 December 1870, 156 years ago, with a duration of approximately two minutes and twelve seconds. The last annular eclipse dates back to 1 April 1764, 262 years ago. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028, the next total eclipse will not arrive until 20 June 2327, more than three centuries in the future. The next annular eclipse is expected on 13 July 2075.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:38 on 12 August 2026, the Sun will be in the western-northwestern direction, with an azimuth of 283 degrees and altitude of just 6.9 degrees above the horizon. It is a very low position, typical of day's end. For unobstructed viewing, it is advisable to choose a location with the horizon clear between west and northwest: any building or ground elevation in that direction could hide the Sun at the moment of greatest obscuration.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Arcos de la Frontera
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:42 UTC | 19:42 | +17.8° | 275.5° |
| Maximum | 18:38 UTC | 20:38 | +6.9° | 283.4° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:30 UTC | 21:30 | -2.5° | 291.1° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.1°)
Azimuth at C4
291.1° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-2.51°
Terrain horizon
1.06°
Sun−terrain margin
+5.85°
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 Arcos de la Frontera
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra de GibalbínIn the Sun's direction | 410 m | 15.8 km | 305° NW |
| Cerro del EspartoIn the Sun's direction | 371 m | 16.5 km | 302° WNW |
| Cerro del Convento | — | 14.8 km | 63° ENE |
| Cerro de Taramillas | — | 24.3 km | 76° ENE |
| Cerro del Aguila | — | 24.6 km | 73° ENE |
| Cerro de los Gavilanes | — | 24.8 km | 73° ENE |
Weather in Arcos de la Frontera in August
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
1%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Arcos de la Frontera
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 years ago
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 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 Arcos de la Frontera
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Arcos de la Frontera?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 94% covered at maximum from Arcos de la Frontera.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Arcos de la Frontera?
Maximum occurs at 20:38 local time (18:38 UTC) in Arcos de la Frontera.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Arcos de la Frontera?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 7° above the horizon at maximum from Arcos de la Frontera.
Is Arcos de la Frontera a good place to watch the eclipse?
Arcos de la Frontera is a good option (score 65/100): 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 Arcos de la Frontera
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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