Cártama
36.711°, -4.633° · 89 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 4.44° at peak.
60/100Good
94%
Partial eclipse · 94% obscuration
See the eclipse from Cártama minute by minute
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Photo: Panarria · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Cártama
Cártama is a municipality in the province of Málaga, in Andalusia, which extends through the Guadalhorce valley a few kilometres northwest of the Málaga capital. With over 21,000 inhabitants and an altitude of 89 metres above sea level, the municipality combines the river plain with gentle hills of olive and citrus groves. Its position close to the Andalusian coast gives it a distinctly Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and a latitude favourable for astronomical observation.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Cártama will experience a partial solar eclipse whose maximum phase will occur at 20:37, with the Sun at just 6 degrees of altitude in the west-northwest direction. With a margin of 4.4 degrees above the topographic horizon, the phenomenon will be visible from the municipality, but the low elevation of the celestial body requires finding a clear vantage point towards the west: any hill, building or grove in that direction could hide it during the final minutes of the event.
The weather in August
August in Cártama is the warmest month of the year, with average temperatures of 27.7 °C, usual highs around 34 °C and nights that rarely drop below 21 °C. Rainfall is virtually non-existent—barely a millimetre on average per month—and the risk of storms in this period is low, according to AEMET records from the 1991-2020 period. Overall, the outlook is for dry days with little cloud cover, which favours outdoor observation.
Past eclipses
The last total solar eclipse visible from Cártama took place on 22 December 1870, more than 156 years ago; the totality phase lasted some two minutes at that time. After the eclipses of 2026, 2027 and 2028 have passed, one must wait until 13 July 2075 to see an annular eclipse from here, and not until 20 June 2327 for a complete totality to cross this corner of the Guadalhorce valley again.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum phase, at 20:37, the Sun will be at an azimuth of 284 degrees and an elevation of 6 degrees, virtually in the west-northwest direction. At that evening hour, the Sun will have completed most of its daily journey and will descend rapidly towards the horizon. Orienting precisely towards the west-northwest and ensuring that stretch of horizon is free of obstacles is the most decisive factor in not missing the final moments of the eclipse.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Cártama
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:43 UTC | 19:43 | +16.8° | 276.2° |
| Maximum | 18:38 UTC | 20:38 | +6.0° | 284.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:29 UTC | 21:29 | -3.3° | 291.7° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.7°)
Azimuth at C4
291.7° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.32°
Terrain horizon
1.60°
Sun−terrain margin
+4.44°
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 Cártama
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra PrietaIn the Sun's direction | 1519 m | 22.9 km | 286° WNW |
| La SierraIn the Sun's direction | 1517 m | 23.0 km | 286° WNW |
| Cerro de la BlanquillaIn the Sun's direction | 1506 m | 24.6 km | 285° WNW |
| Pico del Grajo, Alcaparaín o ValdiviaIn the Sun's direction | 1293 m | 22.9 km | 304° WNW |
| Pico Mijas | 1150 m | 11.1 km | 192° SSW |
| Cuerda Pino AltoIn the Sun's direction | 1092 m | 23.0 km | 282° WNW |
| Pico Mendoza | 1045 m | 11.0 km | 185° S |
| Castillejos | 1040 m | 20.6 km | 230° SW |
Weather in Cártama in August
Avg. temp.
27.7°C
Max / min
33.8° / 21.5°
Precipitation
1 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station COÍN, 13 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
0%
P75 — cloudier days
0%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Cártama
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 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 Cártama
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Cártama?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 94% covered at maximum from Cártama.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Cártama?
Maximum occurs at 20:38 local time (18:38 UTC) in Cártama.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Cártama?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Cártama.
Is Cártama a good place to watch the eclipse?
Cártama 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 Cártama
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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