Lorca
37.671°, -1.702° · 339 m a.s.l.
Hidden by terrain
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
Local terrain rises 1.57° above the Sun at peak.
45/100Marginal
98%
Partial eclipse · 98% obscuration
See the eclipse from Lorca minute by minute
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Fjc assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
About Lorca
Lorca is a municipality in the Region of Murcia, located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, 339 metres above sea level. With nearly 93,000 inhabitants, it is one of Spain's largest municipalities by area. Its territory spans sierras, valleys and plains in a semiarid environment characteristic of the Segura basin. Administratively, it belongs to the province of Murcia, in the southeastern quadrant of the Peninsula.
For this eclipse
During the partial eclipse on 12 August 2026, the Moon will cover a portion of the solar disc visible from Lorca. However, at the moment of maximum, at 20:35 h, the Sun will be barely 4.5° above the geometric horizon, and the topographic horizon will slightly exceed it: the calculated margin is −0.8°. This means that the surrounding landscape could block the Sun at the precise moment of maximum, depending on the exact observation point.
The weather in August
August is the warmest month of the year in Lorca. AEMET data (1991–2020 period) places the average temperature at 27 °C, with typical highs of 34 °C and lows of 20 °C. Average monthly precipitation is scarce, at just 8.9 mm, and the risk of thunderstorms is low. The semiarid climate of the southeastern Peninsula promotes a dry and stable August, although intense heat during the central hours of the day is the norm.
Past eclipses
The last total eclipse visible from Lorca occurred on 12 May 1706, some 320 years ago; totality lasted approximately 3 minutes and 34 seconds. After the eclipses of 2026 and 2028, one must wait until 20 June 2327 to witness another total eclipse from the city. Before that date, an annular eclipse will occur on 13 July 2075, covering just over 87% of the solar disc.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum eclipse, on 12 August 2026 at 20:35 h, the Sun will be 4.5° above the horizon with an azimuth of 285°, nearly due west with a slight inclination towards the northwest. At such a low altitude, any obstruction in that direction —a mountain range, a building or a slope— can interrupt the line of sight to the Sun and affect the observation of the phenomenon.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Lorca
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:41 UTC | 19:41 | +15.0° | 277.4° |
| Maximum | 18:35 UTC | 20:35 | +4.5° | 285.4° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:27 UTC | 21:27 | -4.6° | 293.2° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (293.2°)
Azimuth at C4
293.2° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-4.62°
Terrain horizon
6.07°
Sun−terrain margin
-1.57°
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 Lorca
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Espuña | 1583 m | 24.1 km | 27° NNE |
| Poyos de Pedro López | 1568 m | 23.0 km | 23° NNE |
| Peña Soleada | 1514 m | 23.8 km | 28° NNE |
| Pinos Blancos | 1512 m | 24.7 km | 25° NNE |
| Cerro de Ponce | 1443 m | 24.8 km | 357° N |
| Cejo de La Ventanica | 1423 m | 22.9 km | 19° NNE |
| Peña Apartada | 1406 m | 23.3 km | 32° NNE |
| Cerro de las Cabras | 1356 m | 21.7 km | 23° NNE |
Weather in Lorca in August
Avg. temp.
27°C
Max / min
34° / 20°
Precipitation
8.9 mm
Storm risk
Low
Station LORCA, 2 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
0%
Median cloud cover
1%
P75 — cloudier days
7%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Lorca
- 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 Lorca
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Lorca?
Geometrically yes (98% obscuration) but the local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends from Lorca.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Lorca?
Maximum occurs at 20:35 local time (18:35 UTC) in Lorca.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Lorca?
Look WNW (azimuth 285°); the Sun will be 5° above the horizon at maximum from Lorca.
Is Lorca a good place to watch the eclipse?
Lorca is not the best choice: local terrain blocks the Sun before the eclipse ends. Consider a nearby viewpoint with a clear horizon.
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 →Embed this eclipse on your site
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