Calatayud
41.354°, -1.643° · 542 m a.s.l.
Visible
The Sun clears local terrain by 3.70° at C3.
90/100Excellent
100%
You'll see full totality, but the Sun will set before the partial phase ends — an unusually epic finale.
Total eclipse · 100% obscuration
See the eclipse from Calatayud minute by minute
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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Calatayud
Calatayud is the second most populated city in Zaragoza province, with just over 20,000 inhabitants, and sits at 542 meters altitude at the confluence of the Jalón and Jiloca rivers, in the heart of inland Aragon. Its position in the Jalón basin gives it a landscape of valleys and limestone hills that define the local horizon profile. Administratively, it belongs to the autonomous community of Aragon, about 85 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, Zaragoza.
For this eclipse
The eclipse of August 12, 2026 reaches Calatayud as a total eclipse, with maximum obscuration expected at 20:30 local time. At that moment, the Sun will be just 6.3 degrees above the horizon, in a direction of 284 degrees azimuth, that is, nearly west-northwest. The safety margin above the local topographic horizon is 3.7 degrees, which allows viewing totality, although any elevated obstacle in that direction could compromise the view.
The weather in August
August in Calatayud is a warm and relatively dry month: the average temperature is around 23 °C, with highs that can exceed 31 °C during the day and lows around 15–16 °C at night. The average precipitation for the month barely exceeds 14 millimeters, and the risk of storms is low according to AEMET statistics for the period 1991–2020. The continental climate of the Jalón valley favors clear nights following hot summer days.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse that crossed Calatayud was on August 30, 1905, 121 years ago, with totality lasting almost four minutes. Before that, in November 1901, the city experienced an annular eclipse. After 2026, there will be no new total eclipse to completely darken Calatayud's sky until November 17, 2180: a wait of more than a century and a half that underscores the rarity of the phenomenon that is approaching.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, at 20:30 local time, the Sun will have already traveled nearly its entire daily arc and will be 6.3 degrees high above the horizon, looking toward the west-northwest (azimuth of 284 degrees). For practical purposes, it is advisable to orient yourself with your back to the north: the Sun will be barely elevated above the horizon in that direction. An observation point without obstacles to the west-northwest will maximize the chances of seeing the solar corona during totality.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Calatayud
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:35 UTC | 19:35 | +16.6° | 275.4° |
| C2 — Totality begins | 18:29 UTC | 20:29 | +6.6° | 284.1° |
| Maximum | 18:30 UTC | 20:30 | +6.4° | 284.2° |
| C3 — Totality ends | 18:31 UTC | 20:31 | +6.3° | 284.3° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:22 UTC | 21:22 | -2.3° | 292.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (292.7°)
Azimuth at C4
292.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-2.31°
Terrain horizon
2.57°
Sun−terrain margin
+3.70°
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 Calatayud
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto de la Cabrera | 1428 m | 17.9 km | 351° N |
| Pico del Rayo | 1427 m | 13.5 km | 86° E |
| Pico del Rayo | 1427 m | 13.5 km | 86° E |
| Alto de los Tres Mojones | 1421 m | 20.3 km | 341° NNW |
| Virgen de la Sierra | 1418 m | 22.2 km | 338° NNW |
| Santa Brígida | 1411 m | 12.4 km | 80° E |
| Peña del Café | 1411 m | 16.9 km | 354° N |
| Pico Cafe | 1404 m | 17.6 km | 353° N |
Weather in Calatayud in August
Avg. temp.
23.4°C
Max / min
31.1° / 15.6°
Precipitation
14.6 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station CALATAYUD, 3 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
6%
Median cloud cover
49%
P75 — cloudier days
67%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Calatayud
- Last total eclipseAugust 30, 1905121 years ago
- Last annular eclipseNovember 11, 1901125 years ago
- Next total eclipseNovember 17, 2180
- Next annular eclipseOctober 3, 2377
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Calatayud
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Calatayud?
Yes — Calatayud is inside the totality path and the horizon allows the total phase to be fully visible.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Calatayud?
Maximum occurs at 20:30 local time (18:30 UTC) in Calatayud.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Calatayud?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Calatayud.
How long does totality last in Calatayud?
Totality lasts 1 min 44 s in Calatayud (C2 to C3).
Is Calatayud a good place to watch the eclipse?
Calatayud will see totality (C2-C3) very close to the western horizon. The partial end (C4) falls below the horizon: you need a clear western view for an epic experience.
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 Aragon →Where to stay in Calatayud
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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