Ceuta
35.889°, -5.320° · 22 m a.s.l.
Visible
Partial eclipse · 93% obscuration
The Sun clears local terrain by 3.77° at peak.
60/100Good
93%
Partial eclipse · 93% obscuration
See the eclipse from Ceuta minute by minute
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Photo: Mario Sánchez Bueno · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Ceuta
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city located at the far northern tip of Africa, on the Almina peninsula, adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar. With a population of 83,179 inhabitants and an altitude of barely 22 metres above sea level, it sits across from the Andalusian coast, separated from the Iberian Peninsula by just a few kilometres of water. Its position between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic gives it a Mediterranean maritime climate with influences from the strait.
For this eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Ceuta will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:39, with the Sun at 6.1° above the horizon and a clearance of 3.4° above the local topographic profile. As a partial eclipse, the Moon will cover a portion of the solar disc, visible to the naked eye with appropriate filters. Observation will be possible, although the Sun will be close to the western horizon by late afternoon.
The weather in August
August is the driest month of the year in Ceuta: average precipitation does not exceed 1.5 mm and the risk of thunderstorms is low according to AEMET records from the 1991–2020 period. Temperatures remain mild, with an average of 25.4 °C, highs rarely exceeding 29 °C, and lows around 21.7 °C. The strait breeze moderates the heat and makes August one of the most stable months of the year.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Ceuta took place on 22 December 1870, 156 years ago, lasting 80 seconds of totality. After the 2028 eclipse, one will have to wait until 12 September 2053 to witness another total eclipse from the city. On that date the Moon's shadow will once again completely cover the solar disc over the Strait of Gibraltar.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, the Sun will be at 6.1° above the horizon and at an azimuth of 284°, that is, towards the west-northwest, slightly north of due west. For observation, it is advisable to find a spot with a clear horizon in that direction, such as the coast or an elevation overlooking the western Mediterranean and the strait.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Ceuta
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:44 UTC | 19:44 | +17.0° | 276.3° |
| Maximum | 18:39 UTC | 20:39 | +6.1° | 284.0° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:31 UTC | 21:31 | -3.4° | 291.5° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.5°)
Azimuth at C4
291.5° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-3.37°
Terrain horizon
2.33°
Sun−terrain margin
+3.77°
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 Ceuta
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jbel Mousa جبل موسىIn the Sun's direction | 839 m | 8.4 km | 277° W |
| Jbel Chendir | 452 m | 6.6 km | 261° W |
| Jbel ChinderIn the Sun's direction | 445 m | 5.9 km | 278° W |
| Jbel Tarsif | 404 m | 7.3 km | 250° WSW |
| Koudia Melh Dib | 388 m | 6.6 km | 257° WSW |
| Koudia Ayenab | 359 m | 6.6 km | 246° WSW |
| Hafa Aabid el Mensah | 352 m | 6.2 km | 266° W |
| Koudia Ali كدية علي | 264 m | 6.3 km | 237° WSW |
Weather in Ceuta in August
Avg. temp.
25.4°C
Max / min
29° / 21.7°
Precipitation
1.5 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station CEUTA, 2 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
6%
P75 — cloudier days
12%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Ceuta
- Last total eclipseDecember 22, 1870156 years ago
- Next total eclipseSeptember 12, 2053
- Next annular eclipseJuly 13, 2075
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Ceuta
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Ceuta?
Yes, partial eclipse: the Sun will be 93% covered at maximum from Ceuta.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Ceuta?
Maximum occurs at 20:39 local time (18:39 UTC) in Ceuta.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Ceuta?
Look WNW (azimuth 284°); the Sun will be 6° above the horizon at maximum from Ceuta.
Is Ceuta a good place to watch the eclipse?
Ceuta 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 Ceuta →Where to stay in Ceuta
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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