Cartagena
37.602°, -0.984° · 1 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 2.01° at peak.
70/100Good
98%
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
See the eclipse from Cartagena minute by minute
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Photo: Juan Sáez from Cartagena, España · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Cartagena
Cartagena is a port city in the Region of Murcia, located on the Mediterranean coast at a virtually sea-level altitude, barely 1 meter above sea level. Founded over 22 centuries ago, the city combines a long history as a commercial and military hub with its natural port character. The current population is around 214,000 inhabitants.
For this eclipse
The partial eclipse on August 12, 2026, will be visible from Cartagena. At maximum, the Sun sits barely 4 degrees above the horizon toward the west. Given this low solar altitude, it is essential to have a completely clear line of sight toward the west, preferably from the coast.
The weather in August
AEMET data from 1991-2020 indicates that August in Cartagena has an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius, with highs of 30.4 degrees and lows of 23.7 degrees. Precipitation is extremely low, at only 3.4 millimeters, and thunderstorm risk is low, providing very favorable conditions for observing the phenomenon.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse observed from Cartagena occurred on May 12, 1706, 320 years ago. The next total eclipse will reach this region on June 20, 2327, remaining visible from the city for 318 seconds.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun is located at a height of 4 degrees above the horizon, oriented toward the west. This low position is characteristic of observations at Mediterranean latitudes during times near sunset, requiring an area of completely unobstructed horizon in that cardinal direction.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Cartagena
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:41 UTC | 19:41 | +14.4° | 277.8° |
| Maximum | 18:35 UTC | 20:35 | +4.0° | 285.8° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:26 UTC | 21:26 | -5.1° | 293.6° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.6°)
Azimuth at C4
293.6° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-5.13°
Terrain horizon
1.97°
Sun−terrain margin
+2.01°
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 Cartagena
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peñas Blancas | 625 m | 15.0 km | 271° W |
| La Muela | 546 m | 10.1 km | 259° W |
| Morra de los Garabitos | 546 m | 12.6 km | 259° W |
| Morra de las Casas | 499 m | 13.8 km | 266° W |
| Morra del Toscal | 495 m | 10.9 km | 260° W |
| Garabitos | 489 m | 13.0 km | 256° WSW |
| Cabezo Colorado | 486 m | 10.4 km | 255° WSW |
| Morra de los Monteses | 484 m | 13.8 km | 263° W |
Weather in Cartagena in August
Avg. temp.
27°C
Max / min
30.4° / 23.7°
Precipitation
3.4 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station CARTAGENA, 0 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
4%
P75 — cloudier days
5%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Cartagena
- 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 Cartagena
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Cartagena?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 98% covered at maximum from Cartagena.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Cartagena?
Maximum occurs at 20:35 local time (18:35 UTC) in Cartagena.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Cartagena?
Look WNW (azimuth 286°); the Sun will be 4° above the horizon at maximum from Cartagena.
Is Cartagena a good place to watch the eclipse?
Cartagena is a good option (score 70/100): 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 Region of Murcia →Where to stay in Cartagena
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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<iframe src="https://eclipses.app/embed/widget?lat=37.6020&lon=-0.9840&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